Glass.,- 

Book_ 



THE 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS 

OF 

LIEUT.-GEN. U. S. GRANT, 

FROM 

HIS BOYHOOD TO THE SURRENDER OF LEE. 

INCLUDING AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF 

SHERMAN'S GREAT MARCH FROM CHATTANOOGA TO WASHINGTON, 

AND THE FINAL OFFICIAL REPORTS OF 

SHERIDAN, MEADE, SHERMAN, AND GRANT. 

m\t\ fcrirails on Stttl of 
STANTON, GRANT, AND HIS GENERALS, 

AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS. 

BY REV. P. C. HEADLEY, 

AUTHOR OF " LIFE OF NAPOLEON," U LIFE OF JOSEPHINE," " LIFE OF LAFAYETTE ' 
"LIFE OF THE HEEO BOY," ETC., ETC. 

NEW YORK: 
THE DERBY AND MILLER PUBLISHING CO., 

No. 5 SPETJCE STREET. 
1866. 



v7 ^t"D *> 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1SC6, by 

THE DERBY & MILLER PUBLISHING CO., 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
District of New York. 




PREFACE. 



The personal history of a Nation's benefactor will 
always interest the people whom he has signally served. 
Lieutenant-Gen eral Grant rose from humble life to the 
highest position of military power, with no effort to 
attain it beyond unassuming and unwearied devotion to 
the Republic, during the period of its greatest peril and 
trial. Of such a man, the humblest citizen desires to 
know every detail of his career, from his boyhood to his 
later and more eventful years. 

In this volume it has been the endeavor of the au- 
thor to gratify that natural curiosity, by giving well- 
authenticated incidents of his life. 

For much information the author is indebted to 
family friends of General Grant ; for others, to the 
writings of Larke, Carleton, Richardson, Nichols, and 
other historians of the war. 

It is believed, that what is written is historically 
correct ; indeed, there is no better test than the able 
and succinct reports of the great captains, — Grant, Sher- 
man, Meade, and Sheridan, — which are included in this 
volume. 



6 



PEETACE. 



The largest portion of the work is devoted to the 
earl}' histoiy of General Grant, and his Western Cam- 
paign, because they cover "by far the longest period ; 
although the decisive events of his grand military career 
were compressed into less than one year. 

The reader will not undervalue the possession of all 
the important orders and reports of General Grant, 
whose pen is wielded with no less effect, in its field of 
service for the army and country, than his sword. 

The sketches of subordinate commanders are from 
reliable sources ; and no effort has been spared to pre- 
sent a faithful account of the grand armies and their 
chieftains, whose skill and heroism rescued the Repub- 
lic from the hands of those who sought to destroy it. 

If the biography shall add to the popular acquaint- 
ance with the great and good man whom we all delight 
to honor, and deepen the love of any of the citizens of 
the glorious land, on whose bloody battle-fields the 
beams of peace have just begun to shine, to him who, 
under the Divine guidance, gave us that peace, and to 
the country of his birth, the authors labor will not 
have been in vain. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
THE FAMILY AND BOYHOOD OF GENERAL GRANT. 

The Grants Emigrate from Scotland. — Their Home in America. — The Removal to 
the Far West. — Residence in Ohio. — The Orphan Boy. — The "Widow takes her 
Family to Maysville, Kentucky. — Jesse Marries. — The New Home. — Birth of 
Ulysses. — The Origin of his Name. — Anecdotes of the Boy. — Struggles to Se- 
cure an Education. — The Appointment to a Cadetship in the United States 
Military Academy at "West Point IT 



CHAPTER II. 



YOUNG GRANT'S LIFE AND EXPERIENCE AT WEST POINT 
ACADEMY. 

The Young Cadet leaves Home for the banks of the Hudson. — Passes the Exami- 
nation. — The Situation of the Military Academy. — Course of Instruction. — Ex- 
aminations. — Crimes and Penalties. — Restraints. — Order of Duties. — The Drill 
and Parade. — Encampment. — U. S. Grant's Experience in the Academy 24 



CHAPTER III. 



GRANTS CLASSMATES.— HIS SERVICE IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Cadet Grant's Classmates and Companions. — He is created Lieutenant. — Goes to 
St. Louis to Guard the Frontier. — The Indian Depredations and their Wrongs. 
— The comparative Monotony of the Regular Service in time of Peace broken. — ■ 
The War with Mexico. — The Lieutenant's First Engagement. — Marches. — Palo 
Alto. — Resaca de la Palma. — Vera Cruz. — Molino del Rey.— Chapultepec. — 
Testimony to Grant's Bravery. — Close of the War. — Leaves the Army for 
Business in St. Louis 32 



8 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



GRANT ON THE FARM— IN THE STORE— AND IN THE REBELLION 

Captain Grant turns his Attention to Agriculture. — Tries the Office of Collector. — 
The Business unsuited to his Taste. — Removes to Illinois to Engage in the 
Leather Trade. — The Rebellion Arouses his Patriotic and Martial Spirit. — Ten- 
ders his Services to the State. — First "Work. — Is created Colonel. — Successful 
Command. — Is commissioned Brigadier-General. — Ordered to Missouri. — Amus- 
ing Incident. — In Command of the Port at Cairo. — Action at Fredericktown. — 
Belmont. — Touching Scenes after Battle. — General Hunter succeeds General 
Fremont 47 



CHAPTER V. 



A NEW ORDER OF THINGS. 

A new Order of Things. — Advance upon the Enemy. — Naval Attack. — Picket- 
Shooting. — Discipline of Marching Troops. — Protection of Private Property. — 
Reconnoissance. — Hard Marches. — Plans of Campaign. — Commodore Foote and 
his Fleet. — Sails for Fort Henry to act in concert with General Grant. — Reaches 
the Fortress. — After waiting for Land-Forces, Bombards the "Works. — The 
Surrender. — General Grant's Report. — General Tilghman's Testimony to his 
Conqueror's high qualities of Character 68 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE ATTACK UPON FORT DONELSON, AND ITS RESULTS. 

General Grant turns his Attention to Fort Donelson. — The Plan of Advance. — The 
March. — Bivouac. — The Morning of Battle. — The Conflict opens. — The Struggle 
of Thursday. — The Rebels Victorious. — The Heroism of Wallace's Troops. — 
The Tide of Battle turns— The Council of War.— The Victory.— The Second 
Conclave of Rebel Generals. — The Surrender. — The General Joy. — General 
Grant's Report. — Incidents. — Fine Commemorative Lines 80 



CHAPTER VII. 

HABITS OF MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. 



Rumors about the Habits of Major-General Grant.— Amusing Incident.— Enlarged 
Field of Action. — Congratulations to his Army. — Movements of the Fleet. — 



CONTENTS. 



9 



General Grant's Discipline. — Sword Presentation. — Enlarged Command. — Prep- 
arations for Conflict at Corinth. — The advance to Pittsburg Landing. — The 
Plans of the Enemy. — He Surprises the Union Army. — The Battle of Sunday. 
— The arrival of General Buell. — General Grant Victorious. — Congratulations. 
—A Christian Hero. 99 



CHAPTER VIII. 

RECONNOISSANCE TOWARD CORINTH. 

Reconnoissance toward Corinth. — Movements on the Mississippi River. — Capture of 
Xew Orleans. — Beauregard alarmed. — Calls upon the Planters to burn their 
Cotton. — Cavalry Skirmish near Corinth. — Reconnoissance toward Jackson, Ten- 
nessee. — Troops concentrate at Pittsburg Landing. — General Grant's Command 
further Enlarged. — Enemies again assail his Reputation. — Hon. Mr. Wash- 
burne's Defense. — General Halleck's Confidence in Grant. — Siege and Evacua- 
tion of Corinth 133 



CHAPTER IX. 

TEE PURSUIT.— GENERAL GRANTS WESTERN COMMAND. 

The Pursuit. — Colonel Elliott's Cavalry. — Sheridan. — Sherman takes Holly Springs. 
— General Halleck called to Washington. — General Grant succeeds him in the 
Western Command. — He takes care of disloyal Citizens, Editors, and the 
Guerrillas. — Guards the rights of loyal People. — The Contrabands. — Refugees. 
A Rebel Letter to General Grant. — West Point Generals in the "War. — The 
Position of the Armies. — Their Advance. — Iuka. — A bloody Battle. — Victory. — 
Pursuit of the Enemy. — Congratulations. — Effort to restore the former condition 
of things in the State. — General Bragg gets near the Capital 159 



CHAPTER X. 

GENERAL GRANT'S NEW COMMAND.— HIS INTEGRITY. 

General Grant's Xew Command. — Its Limits and Sub-divisions. — Preparation for a 
Grand Campaign. — Reconnoitering. — Protects Citizens. — A new Staff. — Light- 
Marching. — The Contrabands. — Robbery in Camp. — Regulation of Trade. — The 
Jews Expelled from the Department. — Anecdote Illustrating General Grant's 
Integrity. — On to Vicksburg. — Plans for Assaulting or Investing the City. — 
The Army in Motion. — Holly Springs Taken by the Rebels. — General Grant's 
Campaign Interrupted. — General Sherman's Advance 188 



10 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XI. 



DEFENSE OF MILITARY POSTS.— GENERAL GRANTS CONGRATU- 
LATIONS. 

Heroic Defense of Military Posts. — The Commanding General's Congratulations. — 
General Sherman Reaches and Attacks Vicksburg. — The Expedition Fails. — 
The Reason. — President's Proclamation. — McClemand at Vicksburg. — Suspect 
ed Disloyalty of Illinois Troops. — The Regiment Relieved of the Charge. — Army 
Movements. — Attempts to find a Passage through Bayous and Canals to Ticks- 
burg. — The Water-courses Abandoned 209 



CHAPTER XII. 



NAVAL MOVEMENTS TOWARD VICKSBURG. 

A new Plan for Seizing the Prize. — Admiral Farragut passes Port Hudson. — 
Description of the Terrific Scene. — The Rams Lancaster and Switzerland make a 
fruitless Attempt to run the Batteries. — The Army Advance. — The Exhausting 
Marches. — Admiral Porter's Ships confront Vicksburg in a night-passage of the 
Works.— The Peril.— The Success and Exultation 236 



CHAPTER XIII. 



CA VALR Y MO VEMENTS. — TEE AD VANCE. 



The Cavalry Enter the Lists in Daring Adventures. — Colonel Grierson's Great 
Raid. — Strange and Amusing Scenes.— The Cavalry Generals. — The Army Ad- 
vance. — Porter's Fleet Co-operates. — The March. — A Battle. — Occupation of 
Port Gibson. — Telegrams of General Grant and Governor Vates. — Feints to de- 
ceive the Enemy. — General Sherman's Movements. — General Grant's care of his 
Army 252 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE ARMY APPROACH VICKSBURG. 

General Grant's Head-Quarters moved forward to Hawkinson's Ferry. — The Rebel 
Governor Alarmed. — General Grant's Congratulatory Order. — He Telegraphs 
to Washington. — Fall of Jackson. — The Army at Bolton. — Clinton. — Champion's 
Hill. — Crossing the River. — The Investment of the City 272 



CONTEXTS. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG. 

General Grant falls Back. — The slower work of a Siege. — The Troops Ready for 
it. — Anecdotes of General Grant. — Amusing Scenes. — Various Movements. — 
The Sapping and Mining. — Mine Exploded. — An Exciting Struggle. — The Siege 
goes on. — The Rebels begin to feel the Death-grasp of General Grant. — General 
Pemberton opens Correspondence, — The Surrender of the City 294 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG.— ORDER OF MARCH. 

The Occupation of the City. — The Value of the Possession. — Incidents. — The Ap- 
pearance of the Conquered. — The Dead. — Rebel Bill of Fare. — Grant and his 
Cigar. — Port Hudson hears the Tidings of Victory. — Correspondence between 
the hostile Commanders. — The Surrender of the Fortress. — General Grant's 
Report of the great Achievement — The President's Congratulations. — One of 
his Anecdotes 312 



CHAPTER XVII. 

SIEGE OF JACKSON— GENERAL GRANT'S TOUR. 

General Johnston Alarmed. — Retires to his Defenses at Jackson. — Addresses his 
Troops.— Investment of the City by Sherman.— Raids.— Incidents of the Siege. 
—General Grant Relaxes the Sternness of Military Rule.— His Care of the 
Negroes.— He makes a Tour of Observation. — Festival at Memphis.— Visits 
General Banks at New Orleans. — Grand Review. — Meets with an Accident. — 
Resumes Active Command 346 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A NEW CAMPAIGN— CHATTANOOGA. 

Chickamauga.— Rosecrans Defeated there.— Preparations for a New Campaign.— 
General Grant moves up the Mississippi.— Again at Vicksburg, Caring for his 
Command.— A Board and Medal of Honor.— General Sherman on the March 
for Chattanooga.— General Grant meets the Secretary, of War.— Enlarged Com- 
mand.— The Enemy Alarmed.— Affected Mirth.— Chattanooga Relieved.— Prep- 
arations for Decisive Battle.— The Bloody Contest.— General O'Meara 366 



12 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE ENEMY RETREATING.— GENERAL GRANT RECEIVES THE RANK 
AND COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 

The Pursuit of the Enemy. — Reprisals and Skirmishes. — Battle at Ringgold. — 
Longstreet at Knoxville. — His Retreat. — Congratulations by the President.— 
Thanksgiving. — General Hardee succeeds Bragg. — General Grant's Health. — 
General Scott's Opinion of him. — Expressions of Popular Regard. — The Pro- 
position and Discussion in Congress of the Rank of Lieutenant-General. — Mr. 
Washburne's Speech. — The Bill Passed. — General Grant Appointed to the Com- 
mand. 400 



CHAPTER XX. 



A NEW CAMPAIGN— NEW HONORS. 

A new Campaign. — Congressional Action. — Deserters from the Enemy. — Loyal Citi- 
zens protected. — Army Supplies received. — General Grant inspects his Depart- 
ment at St. Louis. — Popular Demonstrations of Admiration. — Characteristics. — 
General Grant is notified of bis appointment to the Rank of Lieutenant-General. 
— Interesting Correspondence with Sherman on the subject. — His Tour of Inspec- 
tion. — Enters upon his new Duties 414 



CHAPTER XXI. 

GENERAL GRANT AND THE ARMY OF THE POTOMA C.—ITS LEADING 

GENERALS. 

A Ball-room on the Battle-field. — General Grant's idea of such Warlike Prepara- 
tions. — A Fancy Officer. — The Pause and Crisis. — The Opening Campaign and 
its Field. — Incidents. — Sketch of Major-General George Gordon Meade. — Major- 
General Philip Henry Sheridan 434 



CHAPTER XXII. 
THE LEADING GENERALS IN THE CAMPAIGN. 



Sketches of Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman. — Major-General George 
H. Thomas. — Major-General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. — Major-General Oliver 
0. Howard. — Major-General James Birdseye McPherson 457 



CONTENTS. 



n 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE ARMY IN THE WILDERNESS. 

The Order to March. — The Grand Advance. — The Wilderness. — The Meeting in 
Battle of the Hostile Armies. — The Fighting of Thursday, Friday, and Satur- 
day. — The Midnight March. — The Enthusiastic Welcome of the Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral by the troops. — Sabbath, May *l th. — The Death of Generals Sedgwick and 
Hays. — A Splendid Charge by Hancock's Troops. — Coolness of General Grant. 
— A Pause in the Race for Richmond. — Telegrams from the Seat of War. — The 
Struggle Renewed. — Severe Battle. — The Field. — The Fortunes of the Day.. 484 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

THE DEEPENING CONFLICT. 

The Struggle renewed. — General Grant's skillful Movements of his Army. — Cold 
Harbor. — The grand March to the James River. — Assault on Petersburg. — 
Incidents. — Burnside's Mines. — Naval Victories. — General Grant and the Grand- 
mother of General McPherson. — General Sherman and Affairs in the South- 
west 490 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE' CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR. 

The vast Combinations of the Lieutenant-General unfolding. — The Hollowness of 
the Confederacy. — General Sheridan's Successes. — General Thomas. — General 
Sherman's startling Campaign. — The Beginning of the New Year. — General 
Lee. — Fort Steadman. — The closing Battles and Scenes of the Rebellion. — V 
General Lee's Flight.— The Pursuit.— The Surrender.— Sherman and Johnston. 
— Johnston surrenders. — The remaining Rebel Forces follow 521 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

GENERAL GRANT'S MOVEMENTS AFTER THE SURRENDER. 

General Grant visits Burlington and Philadelphia. — A munificent Gift. — General 
Grant's Acceptance of it. — Returns to Washington. — Capture of Jeff. Davis. — 
The Grand Review. — General Grant makes a Tour to New York and New 
England. — Goes to the British Provinces. — Incidents at Quebec. — Journey to 
the West. — Scenes along the Route. — At President Lincoln's Tomb. — Among 
his Old Friends. — General Grant's Character. 55G 



14 



CONTEXTS. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

REPORTS OF GENERALS MEADE, SHERIDAN, SHERMAN, 
AND GRANT. 

General Meade's Report of the Potomac Army. — General Sheridan's Account of 
his Splendid Achievements. — The Story of the Unrivaled Sherman's Great 
March. — General Grant's Final and Great Report of the closing Campaign of the 
"War 573 



llUttKtittU. 



(ON STEEL.) 

Lieutenant-Genebal ULYSSES . S. GRANT. 
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Seceetaey of Wae. 
Majoe-Geneeal W. T. Sherman. Majoe-Geneeal Geo. G. Meade. 
Majoe-Geneeal P. H. Sheeidan. Majoe-Geneeal J. B. MoPheeson. 
Majoe-Geneeal Geo. H. Thomas. Majoe-Geneeal O. O. Howaed. 



Majoe-Geneeal Jtjdson Kilpateick. 



$trf&-£cm«s, Parens, 



(ON WOOD.) 



Bieth-Plaoe of Geant, at Point Pleasant, Ohio. 



SlJEEENDEE OF POET DONELSON. 



Battle of the Wildeeness. 



Battle of Pittsbeeg Landing. 



Sheeman's Maech feom Atlanta. 



SlJEEENDEE OF YlCESBEEG. 



Sheeidan's Ca valet Chaege. 



Battle at Chattanooga. 



SUEEENDEE OF Lee TO GEANT. 



The Geant and Sheeman Testimonials. 




Til K 



GRANT AND SHERMAN TESTIMONIALS. 




LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS 

OP 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE FAMILY AND BOYHOOD OF GENERAL GRANT. 

The Grants Emigrate from Scotland.— Their Home in America.— The Removal to 
the Far West.— Residence in Ohio.— The Orphan Boy.— The Widow takes her 
Family to Maysville, Kentucky.— Jesse Marries.— The New Home.— Birth of 
Ulysses.— The Origin of his Name.— Anecdotes of the Boy.— Struggles to Se- 
cure an Education. — The Appointment to a Cadetship in the United States 
Military Academy at West Point. 

Lieutenant-General Grant is of Scotch descent. 
More than a century ago, his ancestor came to the shores 
of America, then comparatively a wilderness, and settled in 
Pennsylvania ; while a brother who emigrated with him 
went on to Canada. 

By honest industry, our hardy pioneer supported his 
growing family upon his forest-girdled clearing, until the 
Revolutionary War called him to its field of strife. After 
bravely following the flag of the rising Republic, he re- 
turned with the dawn of peace to his home in Westmore- 
land County, Pennsylvania. -Here Jesse R. Grant was born 
in January, 1794. Five years later, his father started for 
the more attractive lands in the far-off valley of the West. 
With few roads of any kind, it was an enterprise both diffi- 
cult and perilous, to reach the savage wilds of the vast re- 
gion watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries. Much 
of the journey was made in a rude boat down the river-tides 
—strange, wild sailing, between forest-bordered banks, in 
whose gloom, startled by the humble "craft," the graceful 
2 



18 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



deer and the no~ble bird "broke the still-life of primeval 
nature. Not a State had been formed out of the immense 
territory which was called the Northwestern, whose bound- 
aries on the one hand were the Alleghany, and on the other 
the Rocky Mountains. The French had claimed it under 
the name of Louisiana. A large portion of this rich coun- 
try was the wide hunting-ground of the Indians. 

In 1804, when the Reserve became partially settled, 
Mr. Grant removed to Deerfield. Here he died, leaving 
Jesse fatherless. To use his own words : — 

u I was left a poor orphan boy at eleven years of age, 
with none to guide my way through the world. I saw 
that I was destined to get my living by the sweat of my 
brow, and that it was necessary to select some calling that 
promised to pay the best ; so I learned the tanning busi- 
ness. I followed that until I was sixty, and then retired." 

Thus did Jesse, from the earliest childhood inured to 
pioneer life, with God' s blessing, carve his way alone, to 
an honorable position in society, and to wealth. 

When the last war with England threw the country 
into excitement, and unsettled to some extent its business, 
the family removed to Maysville, Kentucky. In 1815, 
with the termination of hostilities, Jesse, returning to Por- 
tage County, Ohio, commenced the business of tanning 
in Ravenna. Fever and ague, once the scourge of the 
West, compelled young Grant to go South again in 1S20. 
A few months later he returned to Ohio. This charming 
region had already attracted enterprising people from the 
colonies East. An interesting peculiarity in the climate is 
alluded to by early residents in their accounts of the coun- 
try ; and that is, the cool evenings. So much of the land 
was shaded by forests, that the ground did not get warm 
during the day ; and soon as the sun dropped behind the 
green ocean of verdure, the air was quite as cold at mid- 
summer there, as in our autumn here. This made the 
shining bosom of the wide rivers especially cheering to 
those whose humble dwellings stood on the banks. Among 
these, was the house of an immigrant from Pennsylvania, 
who came two years before. His daughter, Hannah Simp- 
son, who was born only twenty-five miles from Philadel- 



HIS BIETH AND CHILDHOOD. 



19 



phia, in Montgomery County, a woman of character and 
prudent economy, won the heart of Jesse. In June, 1821, 
they were married. Their first home was at Point Pleas- 
ant, on the Ohio River, in Clermont County, Ohio. It is a 
beautiful spot, below the mouth of Indian Creek. Little 
Miami River separates Clermont County from Hamilton, 
whose principal town is Cincinnati, justly called the 
" Queen City " of the West. 

In this new home by the Ohio, a son was born, April 
27th, 1822. The humble dwelling is still standing. Writes 
the original owner: " It is a small one-story frame cot- 
tage. It was not worth more than two or three hundred 
dollars before the war. But every victory gained by the 
General, or a promotion, adds, in the owner's estimate, an- 
other hundred dollars to the price of the cottage." Stran- 
gers not unfrequently stop, on their way down the river, 
to see the recently unknown and unnoticed home. 

We give the origin of our Western boy's name, in 
another extract from a letter received from his father : — 

" The maternal grandmother was quite a reader of his- 
tory, and had taken a great fancy to Ulysses, the great 
Grecian general, who defeated the Trojans by his strategy 
of the wooden horse. She wished the child named Ulys- 
ses. His grandfather wanted to have him named Hiram. 
So both were gratified by naming him Hiram Ulysses. 
When I wrote to Mr. Hamer, then a member of Congress 
from our district, to procure the appointment of cadet, he 
wrote to the War Department, and gave his name i Ulys- 
ses S. Grant.' And we could not get it altered. Simpson 
was his mother's maiden name. We had a son named 
Simpson, and Mr. Hamer confounded the two names. 
We regarded it a matter of but little consequence, and so 
let it stand." 

The absence of fear was always a characteristic of 
Ulysses. When two years of age, while Mr. Grant was 
carrying Ulysses in his arms on a public occasion through 
the village, a young man wished to try the effect of a pis- 
tol-report on the child. Mr. Grant consented, saying, 
"The child has never seen a pistol or gun in his life." 
The baby hand was put on the lock and pressed quietly 



20 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

there till it snapped, and off went the charge with a lond 
report, Ulysses scarcely stirred ; but in a moment pushed 
away the pistol, saying, " Fick it again ! ficlc it again 
A by-stander remarked : ' ' That boy will make a general ; 
for he neither winked nor dodged." It is true, such acts 
in childhood, which attracted no particular attention at the 
time, are related of distinguished men, as very remark- 
able, after they have become famous. Still, children usu- 
ally show talent or genius, if they possess it, for any high 
achievement in after-life. 

At the village school, Ulysses was faithful and diligent. 
He made excellent progress ; and, if not as brilliant as 
many others of his age, what is better, lie was "slow and 
sure." 

Though he gave no striking evidences of genius — 
neither did Washington in early life — there was a beauti- 
ful resemblance to the Revolutionary leader's boyhood, in 
a peculiarity well expressed by one who ought to know : 
"There was certainly a manly, dignified modest}' in his 
deportment, which made him at least an uncommon lad." 

He patiently committed to memory the dry, hard les- 
sons, unwilling to give up when he came to a difficult 
question or problem. This was evidently the leading 
characteristic of the boy. It is related of him, that once 
he seemed to be fairly bewildered with his task ; and a 
schoolmate, who saw his perplexity, said to him, "You 
can't master that." 

Ulysses replied : " Cant ! What does it mean f" 
"Why, it means that — that you can't. TJtere /" 
This answer was not satisfactory. The young student 
thought he would find out the exact definition. He took 
the dictionary and began the search. He readily got to 
can, bat there was no "cartt" As usual, when beyond 
his own knowledge, he went to his teacher, and inquired : 
" What is the meaning of can't I The word is not in the 
dictionary." The explanation of the abbreviation was 
soon given. But this was not all, nor the best of it. The 
affair afforded an opportunity to impress the great truth 
upon the minds of the school, that perseverance in well 
doing is the secret of success. Added the instructor : "If 



HIS PATIENT INGENUITY AS A TEAMSTER. 



21 



in the struggles of life any person should assert that ' you 
can't' do a thing you had determined to accomplish, let 
your answer he, 4 The word can't is not in the diction- 
ary.' " 

His father has giyen another amusing little incident : — 

' £ I will relate another circumstance, which I have 
never mentioned before, which you may use as you think 
proper. He was always regarded as extremely apt in 
figures. When he was about ten years old, a distin- 
guished phrenologist came along, and stayed several days 
in the place. He was frequently asked to examine heads, 
blindfolded. Among others, Ulysses was placed in the 
chair. The phrenologist felt his head for several minutes, 
without saying any thing ; at length a distinguished doc- 
tor asked him if the boy had a capacity for mathematics. 
The phrenologist, after some further examinations, said : 
'You need not be surprised if you see this boy fill the 
Presidential chair some time.' " 

Ulysses early showed his Scotch blood — the substantial, 
strong qualities of character for which the well-trained fam- 
ilies of Scotland are remarkable. No people are calmer in 
action and more reverent in religious feeling, or surpass 
them in intelligence and integrity. When twelve years of 
age, he gave a fine illustration of self-reliance and manli- 
ness, along with the ability to manage difficult undertak- 
ings, which have marked his whole career. 

His father wanted several sticks of hewn timber brought 
from the forest. The boy had learned already to drive 
"the team," and liked nothing better than to take the 
reins. Mr. Grant told Ulysses that he might harness and 
go for the timber ; men would be there with handspikes to 
assist in " loading up." 

Soon Ulysses was on the way, whip and " lines" in 
hand. 

When he reached the forest, no men were there : for 
some reason they had failed to appear. 

The natural, and, indeed, proper course would have 
been to return, if, after waiting a reasonable time, the ex- 
pected help did not come. But, accustomed to all sorts of 
labor, and inclined to take responsibility from which others 



22 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



of his age would expect to Tbe excused, be resolved not to 
go without the timber. How to get the heavy logs on the 
wagon was the serious question. Just then his eye rested 
on a tree fallen over, and leaning against another. This 
made the trunk an inclined plane, rising gradually upward 
from the ground. Ulysses saw at a glance how to make 
the horses do the work intended for the workmen with 
their handspikes. He hitched the team to each of the 
logs, and drew one at a time near the tree, and lying 
parallel with it; i. e., in the same direction, lengthwise. 
The next thing was to swing the end round upon the in- 
clined plane, and slide it along, till the timbers were at 
right angles with it, and projecting over it far enough to 
admit the wagon under them. Then fastening the horses 
to these ends hanging over the back of the wagon, he 
dragged them in turn along into it ; just as with your 
hand you could pull the "see-saw" board, with one ex- 
tremity resting on the ground, over the fence or fulcrum 
supporting it, into a vehicle of any kind which stood be- 
neath the end raised from the earth. 

Having secured his load, the young teamster mounted 
it and drove homeward in triumph ; again proving clearly 
that can't was not in Ms dictionary. When he reined up 
his team before the door of Mr. Grant, we can imagine 
the pleasing surprise with which he heard the story of 
Ulysses. 

But the young woodman's prospects were not encour- 
aging. His father's means were limited, and, excepting 
three months each winter in the common school, he had to 
assist in the work of the tannery and the home. Besides, 
books and newspapers for reading were very scarce. 

At seventeen, Ulysses began to feel, as did his father, 
that decisive steps must be taken toward an education. 
It was often talked over at the fireside, and various plans 
suggested. The young man's taste for military life, the 
thorough instruction and economy of the Academy at West 
Point, suggested the possibility of getting an appointment 
there. The Congressmen usually controlled the selection 
of the candidates for admission in the several districts. 
Political influence and position necessarily have much to 



RECEIVES AN APPOINTMENT AT WEST POINT. 



23 



do with the clioice among the applicants. But Mr. Grant 
was hopeful. He wrote a letter to the Hon. Thomas Mor- 
ris, member of the United States Senate from Ohio, re- 
questing his influence in securing the coveted means of 
culture. But Mr. Morris was already pledged to another 
applicant, and informed Mr. Grant of the fact, with the 
further and cheering intelligence, that the Hon. Thomas L. 
Hamer, from his own district, had a similar gift at his dis- 
posal, the young man selected having failed to accept it. 
A correspondence was immediately opened between him 
and the anxious father, resulting in the appointment of 
Ulysses. 



24 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER II. 

YOUNG GRANT'S LIFE AND EXPERIENCE AT WEST POINT 

ACADEMY. 

The Young Cadet leaves Home for the banks of the Hudson. — Passes the Exam- 
ination. — The Situation of the Military Academy. — Course of Instructiou. — 
Examinations. — Crimes and Penalties. — Restraints. — Order of Duties. — The 
Drill and Parade. — Encampment. — U. S. Grant's Experience in the Academy. 

With the advent of the summer of 1839, the candidate 
for academic discipline and honors left his humble' abode 
on the banks of the Ohio for the Highlands of the Hudson. 

Reaching West Point, he addressed himself at once to 
the preparation for the severe and dreaded examination, 
scarcely taking leisure to look out upon the landscape, in 
impressive contrast with that along the rivers of the West. 

A description of the remarkably attractive scenery, 
and some account of the Academy, where the military 
character of Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, and other 
less distinguished, but gallant and successful officers of the 
Union army was formed, cannot fail to interest the reader. 

West Point is in the town of Cornwall, Orange County, 
New York, fifty-two miles from the great metropolis. 
Fort Putnam is more than four hundred feet higher, and 
looks down upon it. One beautiful plat of land is known 
as Kosciusko's Garden, in which stands the fine monu- 
ment of this Polish refugee and patriot, who commanded 
the post at one time during the Revolution. Here a 
massive chain was stretched across the river, to keep the 
enemy' s boats from passing. 

The Academy was established by act of Congress, in 
1780. There is, perhaps, no better general view of the re- 
gion than that given by the Rev. Dr. D wight, in 1778, 
afterward President of Yale College, and then Chaplain 
in the Revolutionary War, and stationed at West Point. 
This fact gives to the pen-picture additional value. The 



WEST POINT AND ITS VICINITY IN 1778. 



25 



"house deserted by its inhabitants" lie refers to, was the 
" Beverly House," taken by the Government from Colo- 
nel Beverly Robinson, a Scotchman, because he joined 
the loyalists against the rising republic. 

Wrote the excellent and distinguished Dwight : — 

"Yesterday afternoon, in company with Major Hum- 
phreys, I went up to the summit of Sugar Loaf — a moun- 
tain near Colonel Robinson' s house. We ascended it with 
some difficulty, from the steepness of the acclivity, and 
from the loose stones, which, frequentl} 7 sliding from un- 
der our feet, exposed us to imminent hazard of falling. 
From the summit we were presented with an extensive 
and interesting prospect, comprising the objects which I 
have heretofore mentioned, and many others which I had 
never seen. The point of view was remarkably happy, 
the mountain being so situated as to bring within our 
reach the greatest number of objects in the surrounding 
region, and to exhibit them to the highest advantage. 
What is almost a singularity, there was not a cheerful 
object within our horizon. Every thing which we beheld 
was majestic, solemn, wild, and melancholy. 

"The northern division of our prospect was almost en- 
tirely bounded by two great mountains, named Butter Hill 
and Breakneck ; the former on the west, the latter on the 
east side of the Hudson. Both abut so directly upon the 
river, that their rude, lofty cliffs form a part of its banks. 
These mountains ascend at the distance of perhaps six 
miles from the sjDot where we surveyed them, and extend 
northward to the valley of Fishkill. 

"From Breakneck stretches a range of inferior magni- 
tude, at the distance of half a mile, one, and two miles 
from the Eastern shore of the Hudson, the ground between 
them and the river being generally level, and capable of 
cultivation. It contains a small number of other houses 
besides that of Colonel Robinson. Of this range Sugar- 
. Loaf is the termination, its southern limit being the river. 

" Still eastward of this range ascend others, termina- 
ting also on the Hudson. The southernmost which is in 
sight on the eastern side, and indeed the southernmost of 
the whole cluster, is Anthony' s Nose, a noble bluff, whose 



26 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



cliffs rise almost perpendicularly from the water's edge, to 
the height of perhaps fifteen hundred feet, with a sublim- 
ity which I believe is not often rivaled. 

"On the western side runs a rude range of mountains, 
commencing at Butter Hill, and terminating, to the eye, at 
a point opposite to Anthony's Nose. The three loftiest 
summits in the range are the Crow's Nest — a fine, sharp 
cone, Bear Hill — and the Donderbarrak, or Thunder Hill. 
At the foot of these commences a plain, of no great breadth ; 
if I may be permitted to call that a plain which, while it 
approaches generally toward a level surface, is undulating, 
rocky, and wild, throughout a great part of its extent. 
This tract reaches northward to West Point, and south- 
ward near to Anthony's Nose. Directly north, the Hud- 
son, here a mile in breadth, and twice as wide higher up, 
is seen descending from a great distance, and making its 
way between the magnificent cliffs of the two great moun- 
tains, Butter Hill and Breakneck. The grandeur of this 
scene defies description. Through the opening here, called 
the Wey-Gat, or Wind-Gate, because the wind often blows 
through it with great violence, is visible the cultivated 
Country at New Windsor, throughout a considerable ex- 
tent. Beyond this, at the distance of about forty miles, 
rise the Catskill Mountains, whose blue summits were at 
this time lost in the clouds. In this reach of the river lies 
an island, to the eye a mere bird' s nest ; and near it were 
two boats, resembling in size those which children make 
of paper. 

" South of these two mountains the river bends between 
West Point and Fort Constitution, and for a short space is 
invisible. Thence it becomes visible again, and continues 
in sight till the prospect is terminated by Anthony's Nose 
on the eastern, and Bear Hill on the western side. 

"Directly opposite to us was a mill-stream, which, 
swollen at this time by the dissolving snows, poured a 
large sheet of foam, white as snow, over a high ledge of 
rocks into the Hudson. In other circumstances this object 
would have been beautiful ; now it only enhanced the 
general solemnity and grandeur, by filling the neighboring 
region with a loud sound, resembling the distant roar of 



WEST POINT AND ITS VICINITY IN T 1778. 



27 



the ocean. This sound was apparently echoed by the 
numerous torrents which were everywhere rushing down 
the mountains. 

"Beneath us was a house, deserted by its inhabitants — 
a family possessed, a little while since, of all the enjoy- 
ments which this life can furnish ; intelligent, refined, and 
amiable. It is deserted, not improbably to be seen by 
them no more. Whether the father acted wisely or un- 
wisely, defensibly or indefensibly, I am not interested to 
inquire. Against the mother and the children, even pre- 
judice can bring no allegation. 

" Southward, at the distance of perhaps four miles, were 
the ruins of Fort Montgomery. Here more than one hun- 
dred of our countrymen became victims, a few months 
since, to the unprincipled claims of avarice and ambition. 
* * * Northward, at about the same distance, was West 
Point, where the same scenes of slaughter may not im- 
probably be soon acted over again. 

• ■ It is a remarkable fact, that the Hudson should have 
found so fine and safe a bed in a country so rough, and 
between banks so often formed of mountains or high hills, 
and to so great an extent abutting upon it in precipices of 
a stupendous hight. Yet even through the Highlands its 
navigation is perfectly uninterrupted. * * * There is a 
grandeur in the passage of this river through the High- 
lands, unrivaled by any thing of the same nature within 
my knowledge. At its entrance particularly, and its exit, 
the mountains ascend with stupendous precipices immedi- 
ately from the margin of its waters, appearing as if the 
chasm between them had been produced by the irresisti- 
ble force of this mighty current, and the intervening bar- 
rier, at each place, had been broken down, and finally 
carried away into the ocean. These cliffs hang over the 
river, especially at its exit from the mountains, with a wild 
and awful sublimity, suited to the grandeur of the river 
itself ; which, speedily after it escapes from these barriers, 
expands its current to the breadth of three miles, and soon 
after to that of four, and pours a vast stream two miles 
wide, and sufficiently deep to waft a seventy-four gun 
ship, until it is lost in the Bay of Xew York." 



28 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



A good commoii-scliool education is required for admis- 
sion to the Academy, with physical soundness, the age to 
"be not less than sixteen years nor over twenty-one, and 
the proper MgJit is five feet or more. Each cadet signs an 
agreement to serve eight years in the army of the United 
States, and obey all the rules of the institution. 

The course of instruction, which occupies four years, 
embraces military tactics, natural sciences, mathematics, 
French, history and other English studies, and drawing ; 
to the latter of which great attention is paid. The oldest 
class is called the first, the next the second, and so on. 

The commencement is on the 1st of July. During this 
and the following month the cadets have the encampment, 
of which you will have a glimpse from one of their num- 
ber. The daily allowance of time for study is not less than 
nine, nor more than ten hours. 

The annual examination of classes commences on the 
first Monday in June, before an Academic Board, which 
consists of the Superintendent and professors, with a 
Board of Visitors appointed by the Secretary of War. 
A careful record of every recitation is kept, and in the 
Annual Register is published a conduct-roll — a complete 
statement of the violations of rules. 

There are seven grades of crime, whose mark of de- 
merit is from 1 to 10. To give an illustration : Absence 
from reveille roll-call is 3 ; bringing ardent spirits into 
barracks, 8. When the number of demerits in a year 
exceeds two hundred, the cadet is recommended to the 
War Department for expulsion from the Academy. 

The cadets are allowed but one absence during the four 
years' course, usually at the end of the second year, and 
during July and August. But only a quarter of the whole 
number can go at any one time, and none whose demerit 
is over one hundred and fifty for the preceding twelve 
months. 

The dress, which is gray, is a coatee, white drilling 
pants, white gloves, and black dress cap. 

The punishments for misconduct are of three kinds : 
Privation of recreation, extra tours of guard duty, repri- 
mands, or confinement to room or tent ; confinement in 



REGULATIONS OF WEST POINT ACADEMY. 29 



light or dark prison ; and dismission with the privilege 
of resigning, or public dismission. 

The superintendent can inflict the first variety of pun- 
ishment, and a co art-martial the second. Disobedience 
and disrespect toward officers and instructors expose the 
offender to expulsion. 

Card-playing and the use of intoxicating drinks are 
forbidden. The cadets are not allowed to pass over the 
road surrounding the plain of West Point (including the 
sidewalk), without special permission. On Saturday af- 
ternoons, and during the encampment on other days, 
leave can be obtained to walk upon certain parts of the 
public lands, including Mount Independence and Crow's 
Nest. 

No cadet can visit any family, except on Saturday 
afternoon, without a written invitation and the special per- 
mission of the superintendent, or go to the hotel without a 
written permit, specifying the time of the visit, and the 
name of the person on whom he may wish to call. No 
cadet can enter any room or hall of the hotel except the 
hall and drawing-rooms of the first story, or, when there, 
take dinner or any other meal. 

The cadets are allowed twenty-eight dollars a month 
each ; of which sum about one-half is required for board, 
and the remainder is credited to him, or may be expended 
for clothing, books, and furniture ; two dollars of the 
amount are reserved for a fund to defray the expenses of 
uniform, when the graduated cadet is promoted. In four 
years there accumulates a purse of one hundred dollars- 
sufficient to give the young officer a handsome "fitting 
out" for the field. 

In the summer-time there is daily drill, excepting Sat- 
urdays, after 4 p. m., and a dress parade at sunset, and 
parade and inspection every Sunday morning before 
church. The cadets are firemen also, drilled to the use 
of engines, and called out when the alarm of fire is 
sounded. 

The following is the order of business : — 
Reveille at 5 a. m. in summer and 6 in winter. Roll- 
call immediately after. Then cleaning arms and accouter- 



30 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



merits. Inspection of rooms thirty minutes after roll-call. 
TMs is followed by study of the lessons to be recited dur- 
ing the morning. 

At 7 a. :\r. the signal for breakfast is given. " Troop" 
and guard-mounting at half-past 7. Morning parade at 8 
(in camp). 

From 8 a. m. to 1 p. m., recitation and study. 
Dinner at 1. Recreation until 2. 

From 2 to 4 p. M., recitation, or study, or drawing. 
After 4, military exercises for an hour or longer, and 
recreation. At sunset, evening parade. Supper imme- 
diately after. Call to quarters thirty minutes after supper. 
From that time till half-past 9, study. '■''Tattoo" a pre- 
paratory signal, at half-past 9. Lights extinguished and 
inspection of rooms at the signal " Taps" at 10 p. M. 

As the studies are not pursued during the encamp- 
ment, the hours allotted to recitations and study are then 
devoted to recreation or military drill, and the evenings 
to merry-making in the dancing parties and in other 
amusements. 

The arrangements are such that, besides numerous 
inspections by the arm}' "officer in charge," and the 
cadet "officer of the day," there are at least four roll- 
calls daily. 

The same systematic order prevails throughout every 
thing: that is done. The different sections march in silence 
to and from their recitations, under the charge of the best 
of their number as squad marcher. The companies also 
march to the mess-hall, "with slow and solemn tread,'' 
and there take their seats in regular order, preserving a 
constant silence. 

The morning parade, at 8 a. m., during the encamp- 
ment only, .is followed by the ceremony of guard-mount- 
ing, and is like the evening parade, except the firing of 
the cannon. 

With a diploma in hand, the cadet is ready for pro- 
motion, beginning second lieutenant : or, if there be no 
vacancy, brevet second lieutenant — a complimentaiy po- 
sition till a regular appointment can be made. 

In reply to an inquiry respecting the story which had 



HIS HABITS IN EARLY LIFE. 



31 



"been current in the periodical press, that he had a per- 
sonal encounter with an officer of the cadets, Mr. Jesse R. 
Grant wrote the following : — 

" The story about his 'flogging' the captain is untrue. 
He is said to have never had a personal controversy in his 

life. The nearest approach to it was with General H , 

at the siege of Corinth. He says he desired moving on the 

enemy's works ten days before General H was ready, 

and saw that, by delay, they would lose the chance of 
"bagging the rebel army, then completely in their power. 

He is sure he used stronger language to General H 

than he had ever used before to any person, and expected 
to be arrested and tried. But the General said to him : 
' If I had let you take your own course, you would have 
taken the rebel army. Hereafter I will not dictate to you 
about the management of an army.' It was a common re- 
mark among the boys, when Ulysses got his appointment, 
that 4 Lis' would make a good cadet in every respect but 
one ; that was, if he ever was engaged in war, he was too 
good-natured to be kicked into a fight. In addition to 
freedom from personal controversy, it is believed he never 
used a profane word, nor told a deliberate falsehood — at 
least, under the parental roof. He was brought up in a 
Methodist family. ' ' 

In his habits he was simply a quiet, reserved, and 
studious youth, marked with that decision which has 
given harmony and power to all the other high qualities 
of character. He was not conspicuous for intense applica- 
tion to study, nor was he an idler ; and his medium rank 
in the graduating class indicated that unrecognized great- 
ness, by himself and others, not a rare fact in the history 
of distinguished men. Indeed, it is well known that bril- 
liant promise in academic experience, oftener than other- 
wise, fades in the life of manhood, as if nature exhausted 
her resources by the premature activity of the brain. Our 
Washington and Lincoln are examples of a growth in 
intellectual and moral stature so gradual, that no prophet 
of their pre-eminence announced the future destiny in 
early history. 



33 LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER III. 

GRANT'S CLASSMATES. — HIS SERYICE IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Cadet Grant's Classmates and Companions. — He is created Lieutenant. — Goes to 
St. Louis to Guard the Frontier. — The Indian Depredations and their Wrongs. 
— The comparative Monotony of the Regular Service in time of Peace broken. — 
The War with Mexico. — The Lieutenant's First Engagement. — Marches. — Palo 
Alto. — Resaca de la Palma. — Yera Cruz. — Molino del Rey. — Chapultepec. — 
Testimony to Grant's Bravery. — Close of the War. — Leaves the Army for 
Business in St. Louis. 

The school- companions of great men are very often 
mixed up with their after-life, and this statement is the 
more applicable to the West Point cadets who graduate in 
the same class. And it may be a matter of interest to the 
reader to know who were General Grant's fellow-gradu- 
ates, and what their relative positions were subsequently, 
in the civil war. 

» The cadet who graduated first in the class was William 
Benjamin Franklin, who entered the Topographical Engi- 
neer Corps ; and, having passed through a series of adven- 
tures under various commanders, was, at the beginning of 
1864, the general commanding the Nineteenth Army Corps, 
in the Department of the Gulf, under General Banks. 

The names of the next three graduates do not now ap- 
pear in the Army List of the United States. 

William F. Kaynolds graduated fifth in his class, 
entered the infantry service, and was appointed an aid on 
the staff of General Fremont, commanding the Mountain 
Department, with the rank of colonel, from the 31st day 
of March, 1862. 

The next graduate was Isaac F. Quinby. He had en- 
tered the artillery service, and had been professor at West 
Point, but had retired to civil life. The Rebellion, how- 
ever, brought him from his retirement, and lie went to the 
field at the head of a regiment of New York volunteers. 



THE CLASSMATES OF GRANT. 



33 



He afterward became a brigadier-general in the Army of 
the Potomac. 

Roswell S. Ripley, the author of "The War with Mex- 
ico," graduated seventh ; but his name does not now ap- 
pear in the official Army Register of the United States, as 
he had attached himself to the rebel cause. 

The next graduate was John James Peck, who entered 
the artillery service, and was, on January 1, 1864, the 
commander of the district of and army in North Carolina, 
which then formed a portion of General Butler's Depart- 
ment. 

John P. Johnstone, the daring artillery lieutenant 
who fell gallantly at Contreras, Mexico, was the next 
graduate. 

General Joseph Jones Reynolds was the next in grade. 
This officer had gained great credit while in the army, as 
a professor of sciences ; but had resigned some time when 
the Rebellion broke out. He was, however, in 1861, 
again brought forward as a general of three months volun- 
teers, under General McClellan, in Western Virginia ; was 
afterward commissioned by the President ; and latterly 
became attached to the Army of the Cumberland, He 
served on the staff of the general commanding that army, 
with the rank of major-general, until General Grant assumed 
command of the military division embracing the Depart- 
ments of Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland, when he was 
transferred to Xew Orleans. 

The eleventh graduate was James Allen Hardie, who, 
during the war of the Rebellion, became an assistant ad- 
jutant-general of the Army of the Potomac, with the rank 
of colonel. 

Henry F. Clarke graduated twelfth, entered the artillery 
service, gained brevets in Mexico, and became chief com- 
missary of the Army of the Potomac, during the war of 
the Rebellion, with the rank of colonel. 

Lieutenant Booker, the next in grade, died while in 
service at San Antonio, Texas, on June 26, 1849. 

The fourteenth graduate might have been a prominent 
officer of the U. S. army, had he not deserted the cause of 
his country, and attached himself to the rebels. He had 

3 



34 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



not even the excuse of " going with his State," for he was 
a native of New Jersey, and was appointed to the army 
from that State. His name is Samuel G. French, major- 
general of the rebel army. 

The next graduate was Lieutenant Theodore L. Chad- 
bourne, who was killed in the battle of Resaca de la 
Palma, on May 9, 1846, after distinguishing himself for his 
bravery at the head of his command. 

Christopher Colon Augur, one of the commanders of 
the Department of Washington, and major-general of 
volunteers, was the next in grade. 

We now come to another renegade. Franklin Gardner, 
a native of New York, and an appointee from the State of 
IoAva, graduated seventeenth in General Grant's class. 
At the time of the Kebellion he deserted the cause of the 
United States and joined the rebels. He was disgracefully 
dropped from the rolls of the U. S. army, on May 7, 1861, 
became a major-general in the rebel service, and had to 
surrender his garrison at Port Hudson, July 0, 1863, 
through the reduction of Vicksburg by his junior gradu- 
ate, U. S. Grant. 

Lieutenant George Stevens, who was drowned in the 
passage of the Rio Grande, May 18, 1846, was the next 
graduate, 

The nineteenth graduate was Edward B. Holloway, of 
Kentuck}', who obtained a brevet at Contreras, and was a 
captain of infantry in the U. S. regular army at the com- 
mencement of the Rebellion. Although his Stat» ! remained 
in the Union, he threw up his commission on May 14, 1861, 
and joined the rebels. 

The graduate that immediately preceded General Grant 
was Lieutenant Lewis Neill, who died on January 13, 1850, 
while in service at Fort Croghan, Texas. 

Joseph H. Potter, of New Hampshire, graduated next 
after the hero of Vicksburg. During the war of the Re- 
bellion he became a colonel of volunteers, retaining his 
rank as captain in the regular army. 

Lieutenant Robert Hazlitt, who was killed in the 
storming of Monterey, September 21, 1846, and Lieu- 
tenant Edwin Howe, who died while in service at Fort 



THE CLASSMATES OF GRAOT. 



35 



Leavenworth, March 31, 1850, were the next two gradu- 
ates. 

Lafayette Boyer Wood, of Virginia, was the twenty- 
fifth graduate. He is no longer connected with the service, 
having resigned several years before the Rebellion. 

The next graduate was Charles S. Hamilton, who for 
some time commanded, as major-general of volunteers, a 
district under General Grant, who at that time was chief 
of the Department of the Tennessee. 

Captain Wm. K. Van Bokkelen, of New York, who 
was cashiered for rebel proclivities, on May 8, 1861, was 
the next graduate, and was followed by Alfred St. Amand 
Crozet, of New York, who had resigned the service several 
years before the breaking out of the civil war, and Lieu- 
tenant Charles E. James, who died at Sonoma, California, 
on June 8, 1849. 

The thirtieth graduate was the gallant General Frederick 
Steele, who participated in the Vicksburg and Mississippi 
campaigns, as division and corps commander under Gen- 
eral Grant, and afterward commanded the Army of Ar- 
kansas. 

The next graduate was Captain Henry R. Seldon, of 
Vermont, and of the Fifth U. S. Infantry. 

General Rufus Ingalls, quartermaster-general of the 
Army of the Potomac, graduated No. 32, and entered the 
mounted rifle regiment, but was found more valuable in 
the Quartermaster' s Department, in which he held the rank 
of major from January 12, 1862, with a local rank of 
brigadier-general of volunteers, from May 23, 1863. 

Major Frederick T. Dent, of the Fourth U. S. Infantry, 
and Major J. C. McFerran, of the Quartermasters Depart- 
ment, were the next two graduates. 

The thirty-fifth graduate was General Henry Moses 
Judah, who commanded a division of the Twenty -third 
Army Corps during its operations after the rebel cavalry 
general, J ohn H. Morgan, and in East Tennessee, during 
the fall of 1863. 

The remaining four graduates were Norman Elting, 
who resigned the service October 29, 1846 ; Cave J. Couts, 
who was a member of the State Constitutional Convention 



86 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



of California during the year 1839 ; Charles G. Merchant, 
of New York; and George C. McClelland, of Pennsyl- 
vania, no one of whom is now connected with the United 
States service. 

It is very interesting to look over the above list, and 
see how the twenty-first graduate has outstripped all his 
seniors in grade, showing plainly that true talent will ulti- 
mately make its way, no matter how modest the possessor 
may be, and notwithstanding all the opposition that may 
be placed in its way by others. It will be seen that Gen- 
eral Grant now commands a larger force and a greater 
extent of country than all his thirty-eight classmates put 
together, and has risen higher in the military scale than 
any in his class, notwithstanding the fact that lie did not 
seem to possess the same amount of apparent dashing 
ability. 

His pertinacity of character — his stubborn perseverance, 
even in the midst of disappointments, which overcame 
adverse circumstances — has characterized the whole of his 
life, both civil and military. 

Four long years of study and drill had passed, and tin 1 
educated young man looked out upon a life of service and 
honor. The army of the United States was scattered 
through the land, doing little besides occupying forts as 
garrisons, guarding the frontier wherever threatened by 
troublesome Indians, and superintending the opening of 
military roads through the wilderness. Vacancies in com- 
mand did not often occur, and the new graduates must be 
content with the honorary titles of command. Grant was. 
therefore, breveted second-lieutenant of the Fourth Regu- 
lar Infantry, July 1, 1843, the day succeeding his gradua- 
tion, performing the duties of a private soldier. He joined 
his regiment, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, near St. 
Louis, and with it went on the occasional expeditions into 
the wild country lying back of the settlements scattered 
along the great rivers, to protect the defenseless inhabit- 
ants from the incursions of their savage neighbors. The 
succeeding spring he was removed with his regiment up 
the Red River, in Louisiana. 

While in this part of the West, Lieutenant Grant 



INDIAN WARFARE AND WRONGS. 



37 



assisted Ills military companions in superintending the 
opening up of the country, as well as in maintaining the 
peace and safety of those who had settled and were settling 
in that region. 

How much of blood and treasure has been lavished 
on our Indian borders ! Nor is the hatred of the 
aborigines toward the white man strange to one who knows 
the history of robbery, treaty-breaking, and manifold 
abuses to which they have been subjected. And here 
we must add a part of an eloquent address from Bishop 
Whipple, of the West, in the hall of the University of 
Philadelphia, when a delegation of Sioux sat by his side 
on the platform. All hearts were thrilled by the strong, 
Christian, yet indignant appeal of the bishop. He said : 

" There were periods in every man's history, when 
events operating upon his mind would give him a deeper 
sense of God' s providence. The wrongs of the red men 
are forming a bitter portion of the cup of anguish that God 
is holding to the lips of this nation. Day by day, these 
men redeemed by the blood of Christ are sinking into 
graves dug by the white men. To hold out words of 
cheer, and to extend acts of comfort to these hapless, un- 
fortunate people, constitute a mission of divinest mercy. 
To teach these men religion, with its blessings and its 
glories, has been, and is now, the task of the ministry of 
Christ. There are strange facts connected with the Indian 
country. The North American Indian is the only heathen 
on the face of the earth who is not an idolator. They 
always recognize with reverence the name and power of 
the Great Spirit. 

"The testimony of every man who ever knew the 
nature of the Indians before they were brought into rela- 
tion with the Government, is that the red men never dealt 
in double-dealing. General Sibley, who for a long time 
was the frontier agent, says he never locked his house at 
night, and that at times when he had twenty thousand 
dollars in silver in his house, he had often come down 
stairs and found twelve or fifteen Indians grouped in the 
lower rooms. Yet never was his house violated, and 
never was a theft committed. The Maiden Feast, a festival 



38 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



among the Indians, is held yearly, and no girl can escape 
the condemnation of her tribe unless her life has been one 
of unsnllied virtue. And every maiden in the Indian 
tribes of the northwest, away from the border where the 
white men teach the red men vice and crime, is required 
to attend this feast, and if her character is stained or 
impure, the condemnation of the whole tribe is visited 
upon her. 

"The English Government has never expended a dollar 
in Indian wars ; has never lost a man by Indian massacres. 
JSTo better men submit to English rule than the red men 
of the Hudson Bay region and along the St. Lawrence. 
Our own dealings with the Indians have been a mixture 
of robberies and mistakes. American slavery never held 
to the lips of the black men the wrongs and bitterness that 
the treatment of the red men has held to their lips. The 
utmost wrong has been done the Indians by the treaties 
made with them. In the interpretation which is carried on, 
the misrepresentations and misstatements which are made 
deprive the tribes of all their rights. If this false inter- 
pretation fails, the greatest bribery is resorted to ; and if 
an Indian is killed, if he is openly murdered in the streets 
of a western city, there is no redress to the Indians. 
While they are non-citizens of the country, no more notice 
is taken of the dead man than there would be if one swine 
had killed another. 

" Our Government recognizes all the bad claims which 
are made against the Indians. The Winnebagoes were 
lately removed from Minnesota. The reason urged was 
that the people were in terror. The fact is that the Sioux 
sent a delegation to the Winnebagoes, inviting them to join 
in the massacre, and so firm was their friendship for the 
whites 'that the messengers were murdered on the spot. 
But the Winnebagoes occupied the most beautiful part of 
Minnesota, and they were removed. Out of the twenty- 
two hundred who were taken awa}-, six hundred have al- 
ready died, and the rest must inevitably perish. They 
have no rights and no redress, unless they resort to the 
requital of the savage, and avenge the insult by the blood 
of the injured race. A woman of unquestioned chastity 



OPPRESSION OF THE ABORIGINES. 



39 



was killed within a rod of the speaker's mission-house, 
and when the agent was appealed to, he shrugged his 
shoulders and said he had nothing to do with it. She 
died, the victim of violence ; but she was an Indian, and 
no notice was taken of it. 

"The Indians, whenever appealed to, gladly receive 
the religion of Jesus ; and the converted red men, at the 
risk of their lives, protected the whites in the recent war. 
The chief of one of the civilized tribes delivered two hun- 
dred white captives to Governor Sibley. The Sioux treaty 
was framed in fraud and deception. The chiefs were 
deceived in reference to its provisions, and when they re- 
fused to sign it, immense sums of money were expended 
to bribe the chieftains to sign it ; and after they received 
the money, they were intoxicated, and the money stolen 
from their blankets. The treaty stipulated for the payment 
of large sums of money to the Sioux, reserving only 
seventy thousand dollars to pay the honest debts of the 
Indians. These honest debts were the claims of dishonest 
and rapacious traders ; and yet, four years after the treaty, 
no money had been paid to the Indians. The with- 
holding of this annuity-money led to the fearful massacre 
on the border that followed. And after the massacre, the 
incidents are on record, and can be proved, that Indians 
who never saw a white man during the massacre were 
hung, and Indians who were acquitted were hung before 
their release could be effected. There is no justice for the 
red man, from the time he meets the white man until he 
sinks into the grave. 

"The Christian Indians had, at the time of the mas- 
sacre, land producing crops valued at one hundred and 
twenty thousand dollars. Now they not only have had 
these all destroyed, but they* have been removed to the 
Upper Missouri and surrounded by hostile Indians, and 
where the soil is too poor for cultivation, and where the 
habits of their civilized life have unfitted them for the 
hunting of the buffalo and subsistence by the fruits of the 
chase." 

And we have heard the w7iUe, refined, and devout chief 
of the Cherokees, John Ross, relate by the hour the cruel 



40 



LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GEXERAL GRANT. 



outrages of those who have compelled his tribe to leave 
the lands which had been ceded them, and the graves of 
their fathers. See how Georgia, whose soil was not only 
wet with the sweat and blood of slave-toil, but which was 
pre-eminent in the abuse of the red race, has been swept 
by the fires of war, and her fairest gardens laid waste by 
its iron hoofs and wheels. 

Months wore away, with little to lend excitement or 
interest to frontier-life. During their slow and monotonous 
flight, a cloud of war had risen upon the Southern sky. The 
United States and Mexico had engaged in angry dispute 
respecting the boundary -line of Texas, which had recently 
become a State, she claiming more territory than Mexico 
would allow her to take. It was apparent that the- Govern- 
ment of the United States was not deeply anxious to have 
the quarrel settled on righteous principles. Southern 
interests and feeling, which at length culminated in the 
civil war, led ambitious politicians to urge the claims of 
Texas. Mexico refused to yield to the demands of the 
United States. At this crisis of affairs, Lieutenant Grant 
was ordered, with his regiment, into Texas, to join the 
army of General Taylor, who had been appointed to the 
command of the United States troops then concentrating 
in that republic. This army occupation was made during 
the year 1845. The Mexicans and Americans had for 
some time held an imaginary line of boundary within 
what is now known as the State of Texas. As all imagin- 
ary lines become more or less subjects of dispute, it was 
quite natural that two armies of distinct races, and with 
great personal animosities daily arising, should at last 
find, or imagine they had found, the other overstepping 
its proper limits, and, as a natural sequel, quarrels 
would take place, supposed wrongs would have to be 
revenged, and bloodshed would be the ultimate result. 
Such was certainly the origin of the actual hostilities 
which ripened into the American war with Mexico. 

Corpus Christi, an important port on the Texan shore, 
in Neuces County, was soon taken possession of by the 
Americans as a base of operations, and Grant was sta- 
tioned at this place when he received his commission as 



LIEUTENANT GRANT IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 



41 



full second-lieutenant of infantry. This commission was 
dated from the 30th day of September, 1845, and was 
made out for a vacancy in the Seventh Regiment of United 
States Regular Infantry. He had, however, become so 
attached to the members of the Fourth Regiment, that a 
request was sent to Washington to allow him to be re- 
tained with that force ; and in the following November a 
commission was handed to him, appointing him a full sec- 
ond-lieutenant in the Fourth Regiment of United States 
Regular Infantry. , 

Some time before the declaration by Congress of a war 
with Mexico, the struggle commenced in Texas. The 
primary cause of the actual commencement of hostilities 
was a trifle ; but the spark was no sooner applied than 
the conflagration began to make its rapid way, drawing 
the whole within its fearful grasp. Several petty strug- 
gles ensued, until at last General Taylor learned that an 
immense force of Mexicans was marching with the inten- 
tion of crossing the Rio Grande into Texas, to drive the 
Americans from that region of territory. Promptly Gen- 
eral Taylor moved ; but, in the meantime, Fort Brown, 
on the Texas shore of the Rio Grande, was besieged. The 
gallant American garrison defended the position with great 
bravery ; but, unless relief could have been sent them, it 
must have fallen. To relieve the besieged was General 
Taylor' s duty ; and, under his command, Lieutenant Grant 
marched to his first battle-ground. The youthful officer 
came out of this fight with a growing reputation for heroic 
valor. 

When the forces left the head-quarters opposite Mata- 
moras, whose guns were pointed toward our earthworks, 
the bells rang merrily — the people supposing the Ameri- 
can troops were evacuating their position. The case was 
far otherwise, to the joy of Lieutenant Grant, The bloom- 
ing, glorious spring of the South was inspiring ; the grand 
old mountains in the distance were sublimely suggestive ; 
but he felt, with a quiet enthusiasm peculiar to his nature, 
more deeply still the stirring prospect of his first battle 
on the plains of national conflict. It is painful to recol- 
lect that Generals Lee and Beauregard, of the rebel army, 



42 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



were among the most patriotic and able officers in the 
opening war. A glance at the map will show that Point 
Isabel, Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma, lie on the Rio 
Grande, which separates Texas from Mexico, between the 
Gulf and Fort Brown. The army were marching on this 
line of towns toward the fort, when they met the Mexicans 
at Palo Alto, on the 8th of May, 1846. The engagement 
was sharp and bloody. Lieutenant Grant fought gallant- 
ly, winning the admiring notice of superior officers. With 
his characteristic modesty, the young lieutenant kept him- 
self in the background, while his seniors gained the re- 
ward. 

The next day the battle opened again at Resaca de la 
Palma, with fatal fury. The Mexican ranks were thinned, 
and reeled before our fire, leaving the field strewn with 
the slain, but under the "Stars and Stripes." The vic- 
torious battalions advanced up the Rio Grande, clearing 
the Texan frontier of the Mexicans — the lieutenant sharing 
the hardships and perils with the delight of a warrior who 
became one from taste and deliberate choice. The army 
then swept down the river into the enemy's country, to- 
ward Monterey, a strongly fortified position. A terribly 
severe but successful engagement resulted in the surrender 
of the place. Lieutenant Grant, in the desperate contest, 
was fearless and courageous in the cheerful, faithful dis- 
charge of duty. 

Fort Brown was relieved, and the Mexicans felt the 
weight of its metal as they, in disorder, rushed across the 
Rio Grande in full retreat from the battle so bravely fought 
and won by General Taylor, on May 9th, 1846. 

The American army then advanced to and up the Rio 
Grande, and Texas was relieved from the jurisdiction of 
the Mexicans. Lieutenant Grant also participated in the 
subsequent brilliant operations of General Taylor along 
the banks of that historic stream, and advanced into the 
Mexican territory, at a point over a hundred miles above 
the mouth of the river, in the Republic of New Leon. 

On the 23d of September, 1846, Lieutenant Grant took 
part in the splendid operation of General Taylor against 
Monterey, which place the Mexicans had strongly forti- 



LIEUTENANT GRANT IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 



43 



fled. In these works were posted a far superior force of 
Mexicans ; but General Taylor was determined to drive 
them out of their intrenchments, and succeeded. 

The American campaign in Mexico was now about to 
assume a different phase of character. War had been 
regularly declared, and a systematized plan of attack was 
made out. The advance by the northern route was to 
be made secondary to the grand movement by way of 
Vera Cruz ; and the army and navy, as in the present 
war, were both to be brought into active use. 

The time had come for a great and decisive struggle 
for victory and peace. The magnificent Mexican capital 
was to be the goal of the augmented forces under the 
command of General Scott, who was at the head of the 
United States army. His fleet came up the bay, March 
9, 1847, bringing twelve thousand troops, with stream- 
ers flying and bands playing. It was a splendid sight. 
He landed the men safely at Sacriflcios, three miles from 
Vera Cruz, rolling high with crested breakers on the 
beach. 

It was observed by his commanding officers, that Lieu- 
tenant Grant possessed talents more than ordinary, and 
during the early part of April, when the army was pre- 
paring to advance into the interior of the Mexican coun- 
try, Lieutenant Grant was appointed the quartermaster 
of his regiment, a post both honorable and of vital im- 
portance to an army in a strange country — the home of 
an enemy. With this position he participated in the 
whole of the remainder of the Mexican campaign, to 
the occupation, by the United States forces, of the cap- 
ital. 

His position in the army did not, of necessity, call 
upon him to enter into the actual strife ; but, at the same 
time, his nature would not allow of his keeping out of 
it, when he found that his services were needed in the 
field. At the battle of Molino del Rey, on the 8th of 
September, 1847, he behaved with such distinguished 
gallantry and merit, that he was appointed on the field 
a first-lieutenant, to date from the day of that battle. 
Congress afterward wished to confirm the appointment 



44 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



as a mere brevet, but Grant declined to accept it under 
sucli circumstances. 

Five days later, Chapultepec, a frowning, formidable 
stronghold, was stormed. Up to the battlements, rain- 
ing destruction upon the assailants, the ranks of brave 
men sternly moved. Xone among them all was more 
daring and gallant than Grant. We will furnish the inter- 
esting proof of his splendid conduct, from the official 
reports of the officers of the day. Captain Brooks, of 
the Second Artillery, writes : — 

"I succeeded in reaching the fort with a few men. 
Here lieutenant U. S. Grant, and a few more men of 
the Fourth Infantry, found me, and, by a joint move- 
ment, after an obstinate resistance, a strong field-work 
was carried, and the enemy's right was completely 
turned." 

Major Lee, in his report, says of the young soldier's 
conduct at Chapultepec : — 

"At the first barrier the enemy was in strong force, 
which rendered it necessary to advance with caution. 
This was done ; and when the head of the battalion was 
within short musket-range of the barrier, Lieutenant 
Grant, Fourth Infantry, and Captain Brooks, Second 
Artillery, with a few men of their respective regiments, 
by a handsome movement to the left, turned the right 
flank of the enemy, and the barrier was carried. Lieu- 
tenant Grant behaved with distinguished gallantry on 
the 13th and 14th." 

The rising commander thus early learned the art of 
outflanking the enemy — displaying a cool, unyielding 
valor, rather than a dashing and ambitious warfare. 

Colonel Garland, of the First Brigade, speaks veiy 
highly of Grant in the same action : — 

"The rear of the enemy had made a stand behind a 
breastwork, from which they were driven by detachments 
of the Second Artillery, under Captain Brooks, and the 
Fourth Infantry, under Lieutenant Grant, supported by 
other regiments of the division, after a short, sharp con- 
flict, I recognized the command as it came up, mounted 
a howitzer on the top of a convent, which, under the 



CLOSE OF THE WAR— MARRIAGE OF LIEUT. GRANT. 45 



direction of Lieutenant Grant, quartermaster of the Fourth 
Infantry, and Lieutenant Lendrum, Third Artillery, an- 
noyed the enemy considerably. I must not omit to call 
attention to Lieutenant Grant, who acquitted himself most 
nobly upon several occasions under my observation." 

There was an additional evidence of the hero' s steady 
progress in the career of fame. He was bre vetted cap- 
tain in the United States army, his rank to date from the 
great battle of Chapultepec, September 13th, J 847. 

When, not long after, the victorious army entered 
Mexico, the splendid capital, Grant participated in the 
magnificent parade, and enjoyed the glory of the final 
achievement, to which all previous battles had been open- 
ing the way. Lieutenant Grant was in fourteen battles. 

The treaty of peace was signed in February, 1848, on 
the 22d of which, the noble and venerable J. Q. Adams 
was struck down in death on the floor of the Capitol, 
exclaiming, at the close of a long and blameless life of 
usefulness, "This is the last of earth!" On July 4th, 
President Polk issued the formal proclamation of peace 
between the United States and Mexico. A large extent 
of territory was ceded to us, and we paid, on our part, 
several millions of dollars to the Mexican government. 
The war cost us twenty -live thousand men, and seventy- 
five millions of dollars. 

The disbanded army was again distributed among the 
forts in the States, and along the frontier. The hero of 
Chapultepec now made a new conquest. He won the 
hand of a Miss Dent, a sensible and excellent young lady, 
near St. Louis, Missouri, and was married in August of 
that year. His military home was first at Detroit, Michi- 
gan, and then at Sackett' s Harbor, a post on Lake Onta- 
rio, in Northern New York: There was little to do in 
time of peace in these quiet barracks near a small and 
pleasant village. He is remembered by the people in 
Watertown, a handsome place several miles distant, as 
having a passion for playing chess, and played with 
great skill, but found among his opponents one who was 
his superior, and who used to win the. first games of a 
sitting with ease. But Grant was never content to remain 



46 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



beaten, and would insist on his opponent playing until 
lie got the better of him in the end by "tiring him out," 
and winning at chess, as at war, by his superior en- 
durance. 

At this time, many of the settlers on the plains of 
California were without law and order. It becoming 
necessary to send a military force to restrain their pas- 
sions, and prevent Indian depredations and massacres, the 
Fourth Infantry were selected to visit the Pacific coast. 
Lieutenant Grant went with a portion of it to Oregon. 
This wild and romantic life was very similar to that in 
the South, soon after he left West Point. The solitary 
marches in the grand old woods, the ancient rocks and 
rivers, with perils from the savages, had attractions for 
the young and adventurous spirit. While here, his regu- 
lar commission as captain in the infantry came — another 
step in the career of honor. 

After two years' service in the far and almost unin- 
habited West, Captain Grant saw so little prospect of 
activity and promotion, that he resigned his place in the 
army, and returned to his family near the city of St. 
Louis, to try his fortune in civil life. 

It was a new and trying crisis in his history. With- 
out fortune, and accustomed to military activity only, it 
was no ordinary struggle to make a fresh beginning in 
the struggle for an honorable livelihood, to a nature like 
his own, above the low rates of speculation and the legal- 
ized frauds of trade. 



GRANT ON THE FARM. 



47 



CHAPTER IV. 



GRANT ON THE FARM — IN THE STORE — AND IN THE REBELLION. 

Captain Grant turns his Attention to Agriculture. — Tries the Office of Collector. — • 
The Business unsuited to his Taste. — Removes to Illinois to Engage in the 
Leather Trade. — The Rebellion Arouses his Patriotic and Martial Spirit. — Ten- 
ders his Services to the State. — First Work. — Is created Colonel. — Successful 
Command. — Is commissioned Brigadier-General. — Ordered to Missouri. — Amus- 
ing Incident. — In Command of the Port at Cairo. — Action at Fredericktown. — 
Belmont. — Touching Scenes after Battle. — General Hunter succeeds General 
Fremont. 

Captain Grant occupied a little farm to the south- j 
west of St. Louis, whence he was in the habit of cutting 
the wood, drawing it to Carondelet, and selling it in the ( 
market there. Many of his wood-purchasers are now call- 
ing to mind that they had a cord of w^ood delivered in per- 
son by the great General Grant. When he came into the 
wood-market he was usually dressed in an old felt hat, 
with a blouse coat, and his pants tucked in the tops of his'/ 
boots. In truth, he bore the appearance of a sturdy,^ 
honest woodman. This was his winter's work. In the/ 
summer he turned a collector of debts ; but for this hej 
was not qualified. He had a noble and truthful soul ; sol 
when he was told that the debtor had no money, he be- / 
lieved him, and would not trouble the debtor again. 
He was honest, truthful, indefatigable — always at work at 
something ; but did not possess the knack of making 
money. Honorable in all public and private relations, 
he commanded the respect of the people with whom he 
associated ; while personally his habits were plain, inex- 
pensive, and simple. 

It soon became clear to the Captain that he was not 
made for a tax-gatherer, nor likely .to have great success 
on the farm. 

In August, 1859, he applied to the Commissioners of 



48 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



St. Louis County, Missouri, for the office of engineer. The 
paper was signed by General Joseph J. Reynolds and sev- 
eral other prominent citizens, who have since figured in 
the war, both North and South. The Commissioners 
failed to see material in the taciturn ex-captain for civil 
engineer of the county, or were pledged to some political 
favorite, and rejected the application. Providentially, a 
better opening for business now presented itself to his per- 
severing spirit. 

During 1859, Grant entered into partnership with his 
father, in the leather trade, and opened business in the city 
of Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois. This city is lo- 
cated on the Fevre River, about six miles above the point 
where it falls into the Mississippi, of which it is properly 
an arm. The city is built upon a bluff, with the streets 
rising one above the other, and communicating by means 
of nights of steps. Large portions of the States of Wis- 
consin, Iowa, and Minnesota are tributary to this town, 
and consequently it is a place of considerable trade. 

The house of Grant & Son soon became a very pros- 
( perous concern, and, at the time of the outbreak of the 
rebellion, presented one of the best business prospects of 
any house in Galena. The younger Grant devoted himself 
to his business, and, after a short time, the recommenda- 
tion of a piece of leather by the firm of Grant & Son was a 
sure guarantee of its good quality. 

It seemed that the retired Captain had at last settled 
down to a profitable and permanent business, promising 
him the rich reward of commercial industry and integrity. 

In the autumn of I860, a lawyer of the same State, 
equally upright and patriotic, was called to the highest 
position of honor and responsibili ty in the nation's gift. 

The election of Abraham Lincoln tired the long cher- 
ished hate of the South to the working North, and ripened 
into action the sleepless purpose of politicians, to defend 
and extend American slavery at the cost of the L'nion. 

Then came the thunder of hostile cannon pointed at the 
Star of the West, bearing supplies for the garrison of Fort 
Sumter, quickly followed by the storm of shot and shell 
upon the fortress itself. 



GRANT OFFERS HIS SERVICES TO THE STATE. 



49 



This declaration of war by the seceding States, at whose 
head was fiery South Carolina, went over the land with 
mournful and awakening effect. The pleasant dream of 
security, amid the aggressions and threats of the slave- 
holders, vanished suddenly and forever. 

The call of the President for seventy-five thousand 
men, to meet the uprising rebellion, reached Galena. Cap- 
tain Grant entered his store one morning, to read the tele- 
gram of Sumter's fall. Walking round the counter on 
which lay his coat, he drew it on, remarking: "Uncle 
Sam educated me for the army, and, although I have 
served faithfully through one war, I feel that I am still a 
little in debt for my education, and I am ready and will- 
ing to discharge the obligation." He then said: "lam 
for the war, to put down this wicked rebellion." 

With this spirit of self-sacrifice and high resolve, the 
merchant abandoned his store, and went into the street, 
consulted with some of his fellow-citizens, and soon raised 
a company of volunteers. With these he marched to 
Springfield, and tendered their services to Governor Yates. 
The patriotic Executive of Illinois has since given a very 
interesting account of the Captain's entrance upon the 
arena of national conflict, in his message to the Legislature 
of 1863 :— 

"In April, 1861, he tendered his personal services to 
me, saying, that he ' had been the recipient of a military 
education at West Point, and that now, when the coun- 
try was involved in a war for its preservation and safety, 
he thought it his duty to offer his services in defense of 
the Union, and that he would esteem it a privilege to be 
assigned to any position where he could be useful.' The 
plain, straightforward demeanor of the man, and the mod- 
esty and earnestness which * characterized his offer of 
assistance, at once awakened a lively interest in him, and 
impressed me with a desire to secure his counsel for the 
benefit of volunteer organizations then forming for Gov- 
ernment service. At first I assigned him a desk in the 
Executive office ; and his familiarity with military organi- 
zation and regulations made him an invaluable assistant in 
my own and the office of the Adjutant-General. Soon his 

4 



50 



LIFE AXD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



admirable qualities as a military commander became appa- 
rent, and I assigned him to command of the camps of 
organization at 'Camp Yates,' Springfield, 'Camp Grant,' 
Mattoon, and ' Camp Douglas,' at Anna, Union County, 
at which the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, 
Twelfth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-first Regi- 
ments of Illinois volunteers, raised under the call of the 
President of the loth of April, and under the ' Ten Regi- 
ment Bill,' of the extraordinary session of the Legislature 
convened April 23, 1861, were rendezvoused. His em- 
ployment had special reference to the organization and 
muster of these forces — the first six into the United States, 
and the last three into the State, service. This was ac- 
complished about the 10th of May, 1861, at which time 
he left the State for a brief period, on a visit to his fa- 
ther, at Covington, Kentucky. 

"The Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois volunteers, 
raised in Macon, Cumberland, Piatt, Douglas, Moultrie. Ed- 
gar, Clay, Clark, Crawford, and Jasper Counties, for thirty 
days' State service, organized at the camp at Mattoon, 
preparatory to three years' service for the Government, 
had become very much demoralized under the thirty days' 
experiment, and doubts arose in relation to their accept- 
ance for a longer period. I was much perplexed to find 
an efficient and experienced officer to take command of the 
regiment, and take it into the three years' service. I 
ordered the regiment to Camp Yates, and after consulting 
Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, who had many friends in the regi- 
ment, and Colonel John S. Loomis, Assistant Adjutant- 
General, who was at the time in charge of the Adjutant- 
General's office and on terms of personal intimacy with 
Grant, I decided to offer the command to him, and accord- 
ingly telegraphed Captain Grant, at Covington, Kentucky, 
tendering him the colonelcy. He immediately reported, 
accepting the commission, taking rank as colonel of that 
regiment from the loth of June, 1861. Thirty days pre- 
vious to that time, the regiment numbered over one thou- 
sand men ; but in consequence of laxity in discipline of the 
first commanding officer, and other discouraging obstacles 
connected with the acceptance of troops at that time, but 



COLOXEL GRANT AST) HIS REGIMENT. 



51 



six hundred and three men were found willing to enter 
the three years' service. In less than ten days Colonel 
Grant filled the regiment to the maximum standard, and 
brought it to a state of discipline seldom attained in the 
volunteer service in so short a time. His was the only 
regiment that left the camp of organization on foot. He 
marched from Springfield to the Hlinois River : hut. in an 
emergency requiring troops to operate against Missouri 
rebels, the regiment was transported by rail to Quincy, 
and Colonel Grant was assigned to command for the pro- 
tection of the Quincy and Palmyra, and Hannibal and St. 
Josephs Railroads. He soon distinguished himself as a 
regimental commander in the field, and his claims for in- 
creased rank were recognized by his friends in Springfield, 
and his promotion insisted upon, before his merits and ser- 
vices were fairly understood at Washington. His promo- 
tion was made upon the ground of his military education, 
fifteen years' services as a lieutenant and captain in the 
regular army (during which time he was distinguished in 
the Mexican war), his great success in organizing and dis- 
ciplining his regiment, and for his energetic and vigorous 
prosecution of the campaign in ^"orth Missouri, and the 
earnestness with which he entered into the great work of 
waging war against the traitorous enemies of his country.'' 

The spirit of this loyal governor, who had the honor 
of introducing the retiring Grant to his field of national 
service and renown, is finely shown in an extract from a 
letter written by him to a citizen of Oskaloosa, whose 
Union flag a copperhead had cut down, and who inquired 
what he should do with the insult : 

"You say that the pole which floated the Stars and 
Stripes on the Fourth of July was cut down by seces- 
sionists, and that, at a pic-nic which you are to have, 
it is threatened that the flag shall be taken down ; and 
you ask me whether you would be justified in defend- 
ing the flag with fire-arms. I am astonished at this ques- 
tion, as much as if you were to ask me whether you 
would have a right to defend your property against rob- 
bers, or your life against murderers ! You ask me what 
you shall do ? I reply, Do not raise the American flag 



52 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



merely to provoke your secession neighbors ; do not be 
on the aggressive ; but whenever you raise it on your 
own soil, or on the public property of the State or 
county, or at any public celebration, from honest love to 
the flag and patriotic devotion to the country which it 
symbolizes, and any traitor dares to lay his unhallowed 
hand upon it to tear it down, shoot him as you would a 
dog, and I will pardon you for the offense." 

Meanwhile, the President had sent to Governor Yates 
the order for two new names to be placed on the roll of 
brigadier-generals. The adjutant, with characteristic 
modesty, declined the offer of the Executive to nominate 
him, because he was comparatively unknown, and the 
honor should be given to another, who had already won 
distinction. 

Several regiments were soon lying along the railway 
connecting the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, within 
the District of North Missouri and the Department of 
General Pope. But there was no general to command 
these troops, and it became necessary to select a man 
for the command. Although the youngest colonel on the 
ground, Grant was chosen, and became acting brigadier- 
general of the forces, at a place called Mexico, on the 
North Missouri Railroad, July 31st, 1861. 

Eight days later, he was commissioned to fill the com- 
mand which the unanimous vote of his associates in arms 
had conferred upon him, dating back to May 17th of the 
same year. It is interesting to glance at the list of gen- 
erals appointed when he was, and then write opposite 
their names their history in 1864. 

Samuel P. Heintzelman.Not in active field service. 

Erasmus D. Keyes Do. do. 

Andrew Porter Do. do. 

Fitz-John Porter Cashiered. 

William B. Franklin. . . . Commanding Nineteenth Army Corps. 

William T. Sherman. . . . Commanding a Department under General Grant. 

Charles P. Stone Chief of Staff to General Banks. 

Don Carlos Buell Not in active field service. 

Thomas "W. Sherman . . . Temporarily invalided. 
James Oakes Not in service. 

John Pope Commanding Department of the Northwest. 



GENERALS APPOINTED WITH GRANT. 



53 



George A. ^IcCall Resigned. 

Win. R. Montgomery. . .Not in active field service. 
Philip Kearny Dead. 

Joseph Hooker Commanding Grand Division under General Grant. 

John W. Phelps Resigned. 

"Ulysses S. Gkaxt Lieutenant-General. 

Joseph J. Reynolds Commanding troops at New Orleans. 

Samuel R. Curtis Not in active field service. 

Charles S. Hamilton Do. do. 

Darius N. Couch Commanding Department of the Susquehanna. 

Rufus King Foreign Minister. 

J. D. Cox Commanding Corps under General Grant. 

Stephen A. Hurlbut Do. do. do. 

Franz Sigel Not in active field service. 

Robert C. Schenck In Congress. 

B. M. Prentiss Resigned. 

Frederick W. Lander. . .Dead. 

Benjamin F. Kelly Commanding Department of Western Virginia. 

John A. ALcClernand. . .Not in active field service. 

A. S. Williams Commanding a Division. 

I. B. Richardson Dead. 

William Sprague Declined. 

James Cooper Dead. 



General Grant was half-way down the list, and less 
than three years afterward commanded as much territory, 
and as many troops in active service, as the other thirty- 
three generals combined. 

Immediately following his promotion was an order to 
proceed to Southern Missouri, where General Jeff. Thomp- 
son was prepared to advance upon the Union lines. The 
first point of military rendezvous was Ironton, from 
which, with brief delay, he moved forward to Marble 
Creek, building fortifications there, and leaving a garrison 
for their defense. Thence he rapidly advanced to Jeffer- 
son City, threatened by the enemy. For ten days these 
troops protected the town. 

During these Missouri campaigns, there occurred an 
amusing scene to enliven the marches, and fling its cheer- 
ful light over many a subsequent encampment of the 
actors in the practical comedy. It is related by a staff- 
officer : ' 1 The hero and veteran, who was citizen, captain, 
colonel, brigadier and major-general, within a space of 
nine months, though a rigid disciplinarian, and a perfect 



54 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Ironsides in the discharge of his official duties, could 
enjoy a good joke, and is always ready to perpetrate one 
when an opportunity presents. Indeed, among his ac- 
quaintances he is as much renowned for his eccentric 
humor as he is for his skill and bravery as a commander. 

"When Grant was a brigadier in Missouri, he com- 
manded an expedition against the rebels under Jeff. 
Thompson, in Northeast Arkansas. The distance from 
the starting-point of the expedition to the supposed ren- 
dezvous of the rebels was about one hundred and ten 
miles, and the greater portion of the route lay through a 
howling wilderness. The imaginary suffering that our 
soldiers endured during the first two days of their march 
was enormous. It was impossible to steal or 'confiscate' 
uncultivated real estate, and not a hog, or a chicken, or 
an ear of corn was anywhere to be seen. On the third 
day, however, affairs looked more hopeful, for a few small 
specks of ground, in a state of partial cultivation, were 
here and there visible. On that day, Lieutenant Wick- 
field, of an Indiana cavalry regiment, commanded the 
advance-guard, consisting of eight mounted men. About 
noon he came up to a small farm-house, from the outward 
appearance of which he judged that there might be some- 
thing fit to eat inside. He halted his company, dismount- 
ed, and with two second-lieutenants entered the dwelling. 
He knew that Grant's incipient fame had already gone 
out through all that country, and it occurred to him that 
by representing himself to be the general he might obtain 
the best the house afforded. So, assuming a very im- 
perative demeanor, he accosted the inmates of the house, 
and told them he must have something for himself and 
staff to eat. They desired to know who he was, and he 
told them that he was Brigadier- General Grant. At the 
sound of that name they flew around with alarming alac- 
rity, and served up about all they had in the house, 
taking great pains all the while to make loud professions 
of loyalty. The lieutenants ate as much as they could 
of the not over-sumptuous meal, but which was, never- 
theless, good for that country, and demanded what was to 
pay. ' Nothing.' And they went on their way rejoicing. 



AMUSING INCIDENT IN THE MISSOURI CAMPAIGN. 



55 



" In the meantime, General Grant, who had halted his 
army a few miles further back for a brief resting-spell, 
came in sight of, and was rather favorably impressed with 
the appearance of this same house. Riding up to the 
fence in front of the door, he desired to know if they 
would cook him a meal. 

"'No,' said a female, in a gruff voice; ' General 
Grant and his staff have just been here, and eaten every 
thing in the house except one pumpkin-pie.' 

" £ Humph,' murmured Grant ; ' what is your name V 

" ' Selvidge,' replied the woman. 

6 ' Casting a half-dollar in at the door, lie asked if she 
would keep that pie till he sent an officer for it ; to which 
she replied that she would. 

"That evening, after the camping-ground had been 
selected, the various regiments were notified that there 
would be a grand parade at half-past six, for orders. 
Officers would see that their men all turned out, &c. 

- ' In five minutes the camp was in a perfect uproar, 
and filled with all sorts of rumors. Some thought the 
enemy were upon them, it being so unusual to have 
parades when on a march. 

"At half-past six the parade was formed, ten columns 
deep, and nearly a quarter of a mile in length. 

"After the usual routine of ceremonies, the acting assist- 
ant adjutant-general read the following order : — 

["Special Oedee, No. .]. 

" Head-Qt-arters Akmy in the Field. 

"Lieutenant Wickfield, of the Indiana cavalry, having on this 

day eaten every thing in Mrs. Selvidge's house, at the crossing of the 
Ironton and Pocahontas and Black River and Cape Girardeau Roads, ex- 
cept one pumpkin-pie, Lieutenant Wickfield is hereby ordered to return 
with an escort of one hundred cavalry, and eat that pie also. 

" IT. S. Geant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

' ' Grant' s orders were law, and no soldier ever attempt- 
ed to evade them. At seven o' clock the lieutenant filed 
out of camp with his hundred men, amid the cheers of the 
entire army. The escort concurred in stating that he 
devoured the whole of the pie, and seemed to relish it." 



56 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



With the advent of autumn, General Grant was ordered 
to yet greater duties. The important post of Cairo was 
placed under his command. The town is situated on low 
land upon the banks of the Mississippi, in that part of Illi- 
nois called "Egypt." The forces here were increased by 
the addition of another brigade, which had been organized 
for, and was under the command of, Brigadier- General 
John A. McClernand. 

The post at Cairo included within its jurisdiction the 
Missouri shore of the Mississippi River, from Cape Girar- 
deau to New Madrid, and the opposite Illinois shore, to 
the point of land on which Cairo stood. It commanded 
the mouth of the Ohio Elver, and was the key to the 
Upper Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. Its impor- 
tance as a defensive military position, and also as a base 
of operations, at the early stages of the war, was without 
estimate ; and, as a permanent base of supj)lies, its loss 
would be severely felt by the Union army. 

At this time, the State of Kentucky was in that incom- 
prehensible condition designated as neutral ; but as the 
line that separated Tennessee, which had seceded, from 
Kentucky, which had not, was merely an imaginary one ; 
and, as the rebel forces of the seceding States were sta- 
tioned so closely on these borders, it is not strange that 
they often crossed the line into the neutral State, espe- 
cially when it was to their advantage. 

General Grant no sooner found out that this course of 
policy was being adopted by the rebels, and that they had 
actually encroached upon the State of Kentucky, and were 
fortifying Columbus and Hickman, on the Mississippi 
River, and Bowling Green on the Big Barren River, than 
he ordered the seizure of Paducah, a valuable post at the 
mouth of the Tennessee River. This village was occupied 
on September 6, 1861, and within nineteen days he also* 
held possession of Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumber- 
land River. By these movements he not only blockaded 
the rivers leading up into the rebel States, against the run- 
ning of supplies and contraband articles for the use of 
those who were up in arms against the Government, but 
he also secured two fine bases for further operations, and 



GENERAL GRANT AT PACUOAH, KENTUCKY. 57 



cleared out the guerrillas, who were trying to blockade 
the Ohio River below those points. He also garrisoned 
each of .these places with a force sufficient to hold them, 
but still retained his head-quarters at Cairo, which had 
then become the head-quarters of the sub- department or 
District of Southeast Missouri. 

At the time when General Grant took possession of Pa- 
ducah, he found secession flags flying in different parts of 
the city, in expectation of greeting the arrival of the rebel 
forces, which were reported to be nearly four thousand 
strong, and not many miles distant. The landing of the 
Union troops was a signal for a general uprising of the 
loyal citizens of the place, who, being properly supported, 
in effect, if not in fact, at once tore down from the houses 
of the rebel sympathizers the secession flags which they 
had raised. 

General Grant immediately took possession of the tele- 
graph-office, railroad depot, hospitals, and other points of 
importance, after which he issued the following proclama- 
tion to the citizens : 

Padtjcah, Kentucky, September 6, 1861. 

To the Citizens of Padtjcah : 

I am come among you, not as an enemy, but as your fellow-citizen ; 
not to maltreat you nor annoy you, but to respect and enforce the rights 
of all loyal citizens. An enemy, in rebellion against our common Govern- 
ment, has taken possession of, and planted its guns on the soil of Ken- 
tucky, and fired upon you. Columbus and Hickman are in his hands. 
He is moving upon your city. I am here to defend you against this ene- 
my, to assist the authority and sovereignty of your Government. I have 
nothing to do with opinions, and shall deal only with armed rebellion, and 
its aiders and abettors. You can pursue your usual avocations without 
fear. The strong arm of the Government is here to protect its friends, 
and punish its enemies. Whenever it is manifest that you are able to 
defend yourselves, and maintain the authority of the Government, and 
protect the rights of loyal citizens, I shall withdraw the forces under my 
command. U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

The tone of the proclamation speaks well for the tem- 
per of the soldier, who, although in the midst of enemies, 
and with the power in his hands, yet refused to use that 
power further than he, of actual necessity, was called 
upon to do by the exigencies of his position. 



58 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



General Grant, when in camp at Cairo, presented little, 
in fact nothing, of the gewgaws and trappings which are 
generally attached to the attire of a general ; and, in this 
respect, he showed a marked contrast between himself and 
some of his sub -lieutenants, whose bright buttons and glit- 
tering shoulder-straps were perfectly resplendent. The 
General, instead, would move about the camp with his 
attire carelessly thrown on, and left to fall as it pleased. 
In fact, he seemed to care nothing at all about his personal 
appearance, and in the place of the usual military hat and 
gold cord, he wore an old battered black hat, general! y 
designated as a " stove-pipe," an article that neither of his 
subordinates would have stooped to pick up, even if un- 
observed. In his mouth he carried a black-looking cigar, 
and he seemed to be perpetually smoking. 

In connection with these facts, a detractor of General 
Grant was, on one occasion, speaking rather sarcastically 
of the stove-pipe General and his passion for cigars, when 
he was taken up by one of Grant's friends, who said : 
' fc Such a bright stove-pipe as Grant should be excused 
for smoking." 

Several reconnoissances were made down the Missis- 
sippi River, and inland from the Ohio River, and occa- 
sionally skirmishes would also take place. At these con- 
tests prisoners would sometimes be taken on both sides, 
and the following correspondence was the result of these 
captures : 

Head-Qeaetees Fiest Division, ) 
"Westeen Depaeement, October, 1861. 5 

To the Commanding- Officer at Cairo and Bird's Point : 

I have in my camp a number of prisoners of the Federal army, and 
am informed there are prisoners belonging to the Missouri State troops 
in yours. I propose an exchange of these prisoners, and for that purpose 
send Captain Polk of the artillery, and Lieutenant Smith of the infantry, 
both of the Confederate States Army, with a flag of truce, to deliver to 
you this communication, and to know your pleasure in regard to my 
proposition. 

The principles recognized in the exchange of prisoners effected on the 
3d of September, between Brigadier General Pillow, of the Confederate 
Army, and Colonel Wallace, of the United States Army, are those I propose 
as the basis of that now contemplated. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. Polk, Major-General Commanding. 



GEN, GRANT— GEN. POLK — AND COL. PLUMMER. 59 



To which communication General Grant dispatched the 
following reply : 

District of Southeast Missouri, j 
Head-Quarters, Cairo, October 14, 1S61. I 

Gexeeal: — Yours of this date is just received. In regard to an ex- 
change of prisoners, as proposed, I can, of my own accordance, make 
none. I recognize no " Southern Confederacy " myself, but will commu- 
nicate with higher authorities for their views. Should I not be sustained, 
I will find means of communicating with you. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geaxt, Brigadier-General Commanding. 
To Major-General Polk, Columbus, Kentucky. 

October 16th, General Grant ordered a part of his 
troops, under Colonel Plummer, then stationed at Cape 
Girardeau, Missouri, to march toward Fredericktown, by 
way of Jackson and Dallas, and, joining Colonel Carlin, 
■who was moving in another direction, check the progress 
of General Jeff. Thompson, advancing northward, and, if 
possible, defeat the rebel columns. 

The mild, soft morning of October 21st brought the 
hostile forces together. Thompson had three thousand 
live hundred men, while our forces numbered a few hun- 
dred more. For more than two hours the battle raged, 
when the rebels were forced to yield, and retreated, fol- 
lowed the next day by a fruitless pursuit, when the vic- 
tors returned to their former position. 

The correspondence between the gallant Plummer and 
his superior officer reveals the magnanimous, sympathetic 
nature of the latter, which could drop a tear over the slain 
on the country' s altar : 

COLONEL PLUMMER TO GENERAL GRAXT. 

Head-Quarters, Camp Fremoxt, ) 
Cape Girardeau, Mo., October 26, 1361. • 

Gexeeal: — Pursuant to your order'of the 16th, I left tliis post on the 
18th instant, with about fifteen hundred men, and marched upon Fred- 
ericktown, via Jackson and Dallas, where I arrived at twelve o'clock on 
Monday, the 21st instant, finding there Colonel Carlin, with about three 
thousand men, who had arrived at nine o'clock that morning. He gave 
me a portion of his command, which I united with my own, and imme- 
diately started in pursuit of Thompson, who was reported to have evacu- 
ated the town the day before and retreated toward Greenville. I found 
him, however, occupying a position about one mile out of town, on the 



60 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Greenville Road, which he has held since about nine o'clock a m., and 
immediately attacked him. The battle lasted about two hours and a half, 
and resulted in the total defeat of Thompson, and rout of all his forces, 
consisting of about three thousand five hundred men. Their loss was 
severe, ours very light. Among their killed was Lowe. On the following 
day I pursued Thompson twenty- two miles on the Greenville Road, for 
the purpose of capturing his train, but finding further pursuit useless, and 
believing Pilot Knob secure and the object of the expedition accomplished, 
I returned to this post, where I arrived last evening, having been absent 
seven days and a half. 

I brought with me forty -two prisoners, one iron twelve-pounder field- 
piece, a number of small-arms and horses taken upon the field. 

I will forward a detailed report of the battle as soon as reports from 
colonels of regiments and commanders of corps are received. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. B. Plummee, 
Colonel Eleventh Missouri Volunteers Commanding. 

To Assistant Adjutant-General, Head-Quarters District Southeast 
Missouri, Cairo, Illinois. 

GENERAL GRANT TO COLONEL PLUMMER. 

Head-Quarters, District Southeast Missouri, I 
Cairo, October 27, 1861. f 

Colonel J. B. Plummee, commanding United States Forces, Cape Girar- 
deau, Missouri : 

Colonel: — Your report of the expedition under your command is 
received. I congratulate you, and the officers and soldiers of the expedi- 
tion, upon the result. 

But little doubt can be entertained of the success of our arms, when 
not opposed by superior numbers; and in the action of Fredericktown 
they have given proof of courage and determination which shows that 
they would undergo any fatigue or hardship to meet our rebellious breth- 
ren, even at great odds. 

Our loss, small as it was, is to be regretted ; but the friends and rela- 
tives of those who fell can congratulate themselves in the midst of their 
affliction, that they fell in maintaining the cause of constitutional freedom 
and the integrity of a flag erected in the first instance at a sacrifice of 
many of the noblest lives that ever graced a nation. 

In conclusion, say to your troops they have done nobly. It goes to 
prove that much more may be expected of them when the country and our 
great cause calls upon them. 

Yours, &c, U. S. Geant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

Having thus secured the information he required rela- 
tive to the position of Jeff. Thompson's forces, and also 
having learned that others were concentrating at the rebel 



GEN. GRANT AND THE AFFAIR AT BELMONT. 61 

camp at Belmont, Missouri, General Grant, at the head 
of two brigades, commanded respectively by General 
McClernand and himself, left Cairo on November 6th, 
1861, for that point. On the opposite Kentucky shore the 
rebels had fortified a position at Columbus, which was to 
command the camp at Belmont, as well as to blockade the 
Mississippi River. 

The two United States brigades landed at Belmont at 
eight o'clock of the morning of November 7th, were at 
once formed into line of battle, and immediately attacked 
the rebel works, where they found the enemy in force 
under General Cheatham. The rebel forces were driven 
to and through their camp, and their battery of twelve 
guns was captured. The camp was then burned, and the 
enemy's baggage and horses taken. Several prisoners 
also fell into the hands of the Union troops, and the attack 
was a complete triumph. 

But at the very moment when victory was deemed 
certain, several large bodies of rebel troops from Columbus 
and Hickman crossed the Mississippi River and re-en- 
forced those at Belmont. This re-enforcement made the 
enemy numerically stronger than the forces under General 
Grant, and after another severe fight, the Union troops 
had to withdraw to their transports, their retreat being 
well covered by the ordnance of the gunboats. 

The following is from a private letter from General 
Grant to his father, written on the night of the 8th : — 

u Day before yesterday I left Cairo with about three 
thousand men, in five steamers, convoyed by two gun- 
boats, and proceeded down the river to within about 
twelve miles of Columbus. The next morning the boats 
were dropped just out of range of the enemy's batteries, 
and the troops debarked. During this operation our gun- 
boats exercised the rebels by throwing shells into their 
camps and batteries. When all ready, we proceeded 
about one mile toward Belmont, opposite Columbus, 
when I formed the troops into line, and ordered two com- 
panies from each regiment to deploy as skirmishers, and 
' push on through the woods and discover the position of 
the enemy. They had gone but a little way when they 



62 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



were fired upon, and the ball may be said to have fairly 
opened. 

' 'The whole command, with the exception of a small 
reserve, was then deployed in like manner and ordered 
forward. The order was obeyed with great alacrity, the 
men all showing great courage. I can say with great 
gratification that every colonel, without a single excep- 
tion, set an example to their commands that inspired a 
confidence that will always insure victory when there is 
the slightest possibility of gaining one. I feel truly proud 
to command such men. 

4 'From here we fought our way from tree to tree 
through the woods to Belmont, about two and a half 
miles, the enemy contesting every foot of ground. Here 
the enemy had strengthened their position by felling the 
trees for two or three hundred yards, and sharpening 
their limbs, making a sort of abatis. Our men charged 
through, making the victory complete, giving us posses- 
sion of their camp and garrison equipage, artillery, and 
every thing else. 

" We got a great many prisoners. The majority, how- 
ever, succeeded in getting aboard their steamers and push- 
ing across the river. We burned every thing possible, 
and started back, having accomplished all that we went 
for, and even more. Belmont is entirely covered by the 
batteries from Columbus, and is worth nothing as a mili- 
tary position — cannot be held without Columbus. 

"The object of the expedition was to prevent the 
enemy from sending a force into Missouri to cut off troops 
I had sent there for a special purpose, and to prevent 
re-enforcing Price. 

"Besides being well fortified at Columbus, their num- 
ber far exceeded ours, and it would have been folly to 
have attacked them. We found the Confederates well 
armed and brave. On our return, stragglers, that had 
been left in «our rear (now front), fired into us, and more 
recrossed the river and gave us battle for -<x full mile, and 
afterward at the boats when we were embarking. 

"There was no hasty retreating or running away. 
Taking into account the object of the expedition, the 



BATTLE OF BELMONT. 



63 



victory was complete. It has given us confidence in 
the officers and men of this command, that will enable 
us to lead them in any future engagement without fear 
of the result. General McClernand (who, "by the way, 
acted with great coolness and courage throughout, and 
proved that he is a soldier as well as a statesman) and 
myself, each had our horses shot under us. Most of the 
held officers met with the same loss, besides nearly one- 
third of them being themselves killed or wounded. As 
near as I can ascertain, our loss was about two hundred 
and fifty killed, wounded, and missing." 

General McClernand, in his official report of this bat- 
tle, after speaking of the hotness of the engagement, and 
narrow escapes of some of his officers, makes use of the 
following words : — 

"Here the projectiles from the enemy's heavy guns 
at Columbus, and their artillery at Belmont, crashed 
through the woods over and among us. *. ■*. * And 
here, too, many of our officers were killed or wounded ; 
nor shall I omit to add, that this gallant conduct was 
stimulated by your (Grant's) presence, and inspired by 
your example. Here your horse was killed under you." 

After the United States troops had returned to their 
base of operations at Cairo, General Grant issued the 
following order : — 

Head-Quarters, District of Southeast Missouri, f 
Cairo, November 8, 1861. » 

The General commanding this military district, returns his thanks to 
the troops under his command at the battle of Belmont on yesterday. 

It has been his fortune to have been in all the battles fought in Mexico 
by Generals Scott and Taylor, save Buena Vista, and he never saw one 
more hotly contested, or where troops behaved with more gallantry. 

Such courage will insure victory wherever our flag may be borne and 
protected by such a class of men. 

To the brave men who fell, the sympathy of the country is due, and 
will be manifested in a manner unmistakable. 

U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

But, while General Grant was engaged in congratu- 
lating those who had returned safe, he was not unmind- 
ful of the sufferers who had fallen wounded into the 
hands of the enemy. Knowing the incomplete state of 



64 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the Medical and Surgical Departments of the rebel army 
opposed to him, he addressed the following dispatch to 
the relbel general, under a flag of truce : — 

Head- Quarters, District of Southeast Missouri, ) 
Cairo, November 8, 1861. > 
General commanding forces, Columbus, Ky. : 

Sie : — In the skirmish of yesterday, in which both parties behaved with 
so much gallantry, many unfortunate men were left upon the field of battle, 
whom it was impossible to provide for. I now send, in the interest of 
humanity, to have these unfortunates collected, and medical attendance 
secured them. Major Webster, Chief of Engineers, District Southeast Mis- 
souri, goes bearer of this, and will express to you my views upon the course 
that should be pursued under the circumstances, such as those of yesterday. 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

To this communication, the commander of the rebel 
post returned the following answer : — 

Head-Quarters, First Division, "Western Department ) 
Columbus, Kentucky, November 8, 1S61. ' 

Brigadier-General Grant, U. S. A. : 

I have received your note in regard to your wounded and killed on the 
battle-field, after yesterday's engagement. The lateness of the hour at 
which my troops returned to the principal scene of action prevented my 
bestowing the care upon the wounded which I desired. 

Such attentions as were practicable were shown them, and measures 
were taken at an early hour this morning to have them all brought into 
my hospitals. Provision was also made for taking care of your dead. The 
permission you desire, under your flag of truce, to aid in attention to your 
wounded, is granted with pleasure, under such restrictions as the exigen- 
cies of our service may require. In your note you say nothing of an ex- 
change of prisoners, though you send me a private message as to your 
willingness to release certain wounded men, and some invalids taken from 
our list of sick in camps, and expect, in return, a corresponding number 
of your wounded prisoners. My own feelings would prompt me to waive 
again the unimportant affectation of declining to recognize these States as 
belligerents, in the interests of humanity; but my government requires 
all prisoners to be placed at the disposal of the Secretary of War. I have 
dispatched him to know if the case of the seventy wounded held by me 
will form an exception. 

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, 

L. Polk, Major-General C. S. A. 



Five days after the engagement, General Grant wrote 
his official report of the whole affair : — 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



65 



Cairo, November 12, 1361. 

. On the evening of the 6th instant, I left this place with two thousand 
eight hundred and fifty men of all arras, to make a reconnoissance toward 
Columbus. The object of the expedition was to prevent the enemy from 
sending out re-enforcements to Price's army in Missouri, and also from cut- 
ting off columns that I had been directed to send out from this place and 
Cape Girardeau, in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson. Knowing that Columbus 
was strongly garrisoned, I asked General Smith, commanding at Paducah, 
Kentucky, to make demonstrations in the same direction. He did so, by 
ordering a small force to Mayfield and another in the direction of Columbus, 
not to approach nearer than Ellicott's Mills, some twelve miles from Colum- 
bus. The expedition under my immediate command was stopped about 
nine miles below here on the Kentucky shore, and remained until morning. 
All this served to distract the enemy, and led him to think he was to be 
attacked in his strongly fortified position. At daylight we proceeded down 
the river to a point just out of range of the rebel guns, and debarked on the 
Missouri shore. From here the troops were marched by flank for about 
one mile toward Belmont, and then drawn up in line of battle, a battalion 
also having been left as a reserve near the transports. Two companies 
from each regiment, five skeletons in number, were then thrown out as 
skirmishers to ascertain the position of the enemy. It was but a few mo- 
ments before we met him, and a general engagement ensued. 

The balance of my forces, with the exception of the reserve, was then 
thrown forward — all as skirmishers — and the enemy driven, foot by foot, 
and from tree to tree, back to their encampment on the river bank, a dis- 
tance of two miles. Here they had strengthened their position by felling 
the timber for several hundred yards around their camp, and making a sort 
of abatis. Our men charged through this, driving the enemy over the bank 
into their transports in quick time, leaving us in possession of every thing 
not exceedingly portable. Belmont is on low ground, and every foot of it 
is commanded by the guns on the opposite shore, and, of course, could not 
be held for a single hour after the enemy became aware of the withdrawal 
of their troops. Having no wagons, I could not move any of the captured 
property; consequently, I gave orders for its destruction. Their tents, 
blankets, &c, were set on fire, and we retired, taking their artillery with 
us, two pieces being drawn by hand ; and one other, drawn by an ineffi- 
cient team, we spiked and left in the woods, bringing the two only to this 
place. Before getting fairly under way,* the enemy made his appearance 
again, and attempted to surround us. Our troops were not in the least dis- 
couraged, but charged on the enemy again, and defeated him. Our loss 
was about eighty-four killed, one hundred and fifty wounded — many of 
them slightly — and about an equal number missing. Nearly all the missing 
were from the Iowa Regiment, who behaved with great gallantry, and suf- 
fered more severely than any other of the troops. 

I have not been able to put in the reports from sub-commands, but will 
forward them as soon as received. All the troops behaved with much gal- 
lantry, much of which is attr ibuted to the coolness and presence of mind 
5 



68 LIFE AXD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



of the officers, particularly the colonels. General McClernand was in the 
midst of danger throughout the engagement, and displayed both coolness 
and judgment. His horse was three times shot. My horse was also shot 
under me. To my staff. Captains Rawlins, Logan, and Hillyer, volunteer 
aids, and to Captains Hatch and Graham, I am much indebted for the 
assistance they gave. Colonel "Webster, acting chief-engineer, also accom- 
panied me, and displayed highly soldier-like qualities. Colonel Doherty, 
of the Twenty-second Illinois volunteers, was three times wounded and 
taken prisoner. 

The Seventh Iowa Regiment had their lieutenant-colonel killed, and the 
colonel and major were severely wounded. The reports to be forwarded 
will detail more fully the particulars of our loss. Surgeon Brinton was in 
the field during the entire engagement, and displayed great ability and effi- 
ciency in providing for the wounded and organizing the medical corps. 

The gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Captains Walker and Stemble, 
United States navy, commanding, convoyed the expedition and rendered 
most efficient service. Immediately upon our landing, they engaged th6 
enemy's batteries, and protected our transports throughout. 

For particulars, see accompanying report of Captain Walker. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Gbant, Brigadier- General Commanding. 

General Polk' s account of the "battle is brief and exul- 
tant : — 

Head-Qitaetees, Fiest Division Westeen Department, ^ 
Coluhbus, Kentucky, November 7, 1S61. \ 

To General Head-Quarters, through General A. S. Johxstox: — 

The enemy came down on the opposite side of the river, Belmont, to- 
day, about seven thousand five hundred strong, landed under cover of gun- 
boats, and attacked Colonel Tappan's camp. I sent over three regiments, 
under General Pillow, to his relief, then, at intervals, three others, then 
General Cheatham. 

I then took over two others in person, to support a flank movement 
which I had directed. It was a hard-fought battle, lasting from half-past 
ten a. m. to five p. m. They took Beltzhoover's Battery, four pieces of 
which were recaptured. The enemy were thoroughly routed. We pur- 
sued them to their boats seven miles, then drove their boats before us. 
The road was strewn with their dead and wounded, guns, ammunition, and 
equipments. Our loss considerable ; theirs heavy. 

L. Polk, Major-General Commanding. 

General Polk's dispatch confesses to a severe rebel 
loss, "both of men and artillery. ISTo "blame can reasonably 
be attached to General Grant for the movement because 
not successful, acting, as he did, under the orders of the 
Department of which, he was only district commander, and 



SCENES AFTER THE BATTLE OF BELMONT. 



67 



consequently responsible only for the time and manner of 
fighting. The attack was undeniably well planned and 
"brilliantly executed. Braver troops never shed their 
blood on the battle-field, and, had it not been for the 
large re-enforcements of the enemy, would have been re- 
garded as one of the most gallant encounters in the early 
history of the war. Neither General Grant nor the coun- 
try will blush over the faithful record of the action at Bel- 
mont. When General Halleck scanned the battle with his 
fine military appreciation, he said: "Grant will do to 
trust an army with." 

While the rebels lost, in killed and wounded, two 
thousand eight hundred, General Grant lost, in all, less 
than six hundred. Of the cannon taken, two were cap- 
tured from us at Bull Run. 

But the noble leader in the strife did not forget that' 
there was a third class of men, besides the living in the 
ranks and the dead which had left them — the wounded 
in the hands of the enemy. When, after the struggle, 
General Grant, under a flag of truce, sent a detachment to 
bury the dead and remove the wounded, they heard the 
song of "The Star-spangled Banner" rising on the still air. 
Following the sound, they discovered under a tree a war- 
rior with both legs mangled, from whose feverish lips the 
national anthem rang out over the gory plain. Of such 
material was the chieftain' s army made. 

Another incident strikingly illustrated a mournful pe- 
culiarity of the war — near relatives and friends fighting 
against each other. Captain Brooks, of the Twenty-sev- 
enth Illinois, came against a corpse. Looking at the dead 
surgeon, he recognized his own brother, who, he knew, 
was in the rebel army, but had no intimation where he 
was serving the cause of treason. 

General Fremont, then at the head of the Department 
in which the field of conflict lay, about this time was 
superseded by General Hunter. 



68 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER V. 

A NEW ORDER OF THINGS. 

A new Order of Things. — Advance upon the Enemy. — Naval Attack. — Picket- 
Shootiag. — Discipline of Marching Troops. — Protection of Private Property. — 
Reconnoissance. — Hard Marches. — Plans of Campaign. — Commodore Foote and 
his Fleet. — Sails for Fort Henry to act in concert with General Grant. — Reaches 
the Fortress — After waiting for Land-Forces, Bombards the Works. — The 
Surrender. — General Grant's Report. — General Tilghman's Testimony to his 
Conqueror's high qualities of Character. 

-Early in the winter, General Halleck, who had been 
called from California, and made Major- General, was 
placed in command of the Department of the Missouri, 
and began to organize the same into proper military dis- 
tricts, to give the commander of each full control of the 
section of country embraced within his lines. 

On the 20th of December, 1861, appreciating the mili- 
tary ability of General Grant, he issued an order defining 
what should constitute the District of Cairo, and extend- 
ing the command until it became one of the largest in the 
country. To General Grant was immediately given the 
administration of the new Department. He assumed the 
command on December 21, 1861, announcing it in the fol- 
lowing order, and giving the roll of his staff officers, of 
whom Captain Rawlins has always justly been a favorite 
— a competent, faithful, and congenial man : — 

Head-Quarters, District of Cairo, I 
Cairo, December 21, 1861. » 

In pursuance of Special Order No. 78, from Head-Quarters, Depart- 
ment of the Missouri, the name of this Military District will be known as 
the "District of Cairo, 1 ' and will include all the southern part of Illinois, 
that part of Kentucky west of the Cumberland Kiver, and the southern 
counties of Missouri, south of Cape Girardeau. 

The force at Shawneetown will be under the immediate command of 
Colonel T. H. Cavanagh, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, who will consolidate 



A NEW order of things. 



69 



the reports of his command weekly, and forward to these head- 
quarters. 

All troops that are, or may he, stationed along the hanks of the Ohio, 
on hoth sides of the river, east of Caledonia, and to the mouth of the 
Cumberland, will he included in the command, having head-quarters at 
Paducah, Kentucky. 

Brigadier-General E. A. Paine is assigned to the command of the 
forces at Bird's Point, Missouri. 

All supplies of ordnance, Quartermaster and Commissary stores, will 
be obtained through the chiefs of each of these departments, as district 
head-quarters, where not otherwise provided for. 

Eor the information of that portion of this command, newly attached, 
the following list of Staff-Officers is published : — 

Captain John A. Rawlins, Assistant Adjutant- General. 

Captain Clark B. Lagow, Aide-de-Camp. 

Captain ¥m. S. Hillyer, Aide-de-Camp. 

Major John Riggin, Jr., Volunteer Aide-de-Camp. 

Captain R. B. Hatch, Assistant Quartermaster TJ. S. Volunteers, Chief 
Quartermaster. 

Captain W. W. Leland, A. C. S. U. S. Volunteers, Chief Commissary. 

Captain W. F. Brinck, Ordnance Officer. 

Surgeon James Simmons, U. S. A., Medical Director. 

Assistant Surgeon J. P. Taggart, U. S. A., Medical Purveyor. 

Major I. N. Cook, Paymaster. 

Colonel J. D. Webster, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Engineers. 

By order, U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

General Grant at once commenced organizing, under 
his personal supervision, the new troops, and, as soon as 
deemed fit for such service, they were sent to the various 
posts belonging to the district, including Fort Jefferson 
and Paducah, in Kentucky. By this plan he could readily 
handle his forces, while they were so distributed that it 
was a matter of great difficulty, if not quite impossible, 
for the enemy to learn his strength. 

On the 10th of January, the forces under the immediate 
command of General McClernand left Cairo in transports, 
and disembarked at Fort Jefferson. The transports were 
protected by two gunboats, which were next ordered 
to lie off the fort. The rebels, with three armed vessels, 
attacked these gunboats the next morning ; but, after a 
brisk engagement, had to beat a retreat — the Union vessels 
chasing them until they took refuge under the guns of 
Columbus. 



70 



LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



As picket-sliooting had existed to a fearful extent in the 
vicinity of Cairo, General Grant, on the 11th of January, 
met the barbarous warfare with the subjoined expression 
of indignation and authority : — 

Head-Quarters, Cairo, January 11, 1862. 

Brigadier-General Paine, Bird's Point: 

I understand that four of onr pickets were shot this morning. If this 
is so, and appearances indicate that the assassins were citizens, not 
regularly organized in the rebel army, the whole country should be cleared 
out for six miles around, and word given that all citizens making their 
appearance within those limits are liable to be shot. 

To execute this, patrols should be sent in all directions, and bring into 
camp, at Bird's Point, all citizens, together with their subsistence, and re- 
quire them to remain, under penalty of death and destruction of their 
property, until properly relieved. 

Let no harm befall these people, if they quietly submit ; but bring them 
in, and place them in camp below the breastwork, and have them properly 
guarded. 

The intention is not to make political pr isoners of these people, out to cut 
off a dangerous class of spies. 

This applies to all classes and conditions, age and sex. If, however, 
women and children prefer other protection than we can afford them, they 
may be allowed to retire beyond the limits indicated — not to return until 
authorized. 

By order of TT. S. Geant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

As General Grant states in the above order, it was 
necessary to keep spies away from his vicinity, as he was 
then about to start on a perilous expedition. He had 
already divided his forces into three columns — under 
Generals Paine, McClernand, and C. F. Smith — General 
Grant commanding the whole expedition in person. 

Before starting on this adventure, he issued a stringent, 
yet humane order to his troops : — 

Head-Quarters, District op Cairo, ) 
Cairo, January 13, 1862. F 

During the absence of the expedition now starting upon soil occupied 
almost solely by the rebel army, and when it is a fair inference that every 
stranger met is an enemy, the following orders will be observed : 

Troops, on marching, will be kept in the ranks ; company officers being 
held strictly accountable for all stragglers from their companies. ISTo firing 
will be allowed in camp or on the march, not strictly required in the per- 
formance of duty. While in camp, no privilege will be granted to officers 



ORDER AGAINST SPIES AND PILLAGE. 



71 



or soldiers to leave their regimental grounds, and all violations of this order 
must be promptly and summarily punished. 

■ Disgrace having been brought upon our brave fellows by the bad con- 
duct of some of their members, showing on all occasions, when marching 
through territory occupied by sympathizers of the enemy, a total dis- 
regard of the rights of citizens, and being guilty of wanton destruction of 
private property, the general commanding desires and intends to enforce a 
change in this respect. 

The interpreting of confiscation acts by troops themselves has a de- 
moralizing effect — weakens them in exact proportions to the demoraliza- 
tion, and makes open and armed enemies of many who, from opposite 
treatment, would become friends, or, at most, non-combatants. 

It is ordered, therefore, that the severest punishment be inflicted upon 
every soldier who is guilty of taking, or destroying, private property ; and 
any commissioned officer, guilty of like conduct, or of countenancing it, 
shall be deprived of his sword and expelled from the camp, not to be per- 
mitted to return. 

On the march, cavalry advance guards will be thrown out, also flank 
guards of cavalry or infantry, when practicable. A rear guard of infantry 
will be required to see that no teams, baggage, or disabled soldiers are left 
behind. It will be the duty of company commanders to see that rolls of 
their company are called immediately upon going into camp each day, and 
every member accounted for. 

By order, IT. S. Gkant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

On the morning of Tuesday, January 14, 1862, General 
McClernand' s column moved forward from Fort Jefferson, 
and the columns under Generals Paine and Smith, at Padu- 
cah, commenced similar movements. The three columns 
combined made a force of nineteen regiments of infantry, 
four regiments of volunteer cavalry, two companies of 
regular cavalry, and seven batteries of artillery. 

It was now just midwinter. The Western and North- 
ern homes still retained the cheerful light left by the 
''holidays ;" and the merry bells of sleighing rang along 
the streets familiar to many of the brave volunteers. In 
the moving host on the banks of the Mississippi, the 
largest proportion had no other experience than these 
pleasant pastimes amid the business labors of peaceful life. 
They now look on the broad river, filled with floating ice, 
on which they are to embark, and along the dreary roads 
of frost and mire beyond, and think of home. But there 
is no faltering, and no complaint from the "boys." 

Demonstrations were made by General McClernand' s 



72 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



column, as if with the intention of attacking Columbus in 
the rear, by way of Blandville, Kentucky, while the real 
object was to concentrate with the troops marching from 
Paducah, Kentucky. The feint proved successful, and a 
great alarm was manifested by the rebel forces in Co- 
lumbus. 

As General McClernand' s column advanced, it was at 
intervals joined by a regiment from the other columns, 
and, on the night of January 15th, his force encamped in 
line of battle ten miles to the rear of Columbus, threaten- 
ing that post by two roads. 

Here General Grant, who had been with the column 
from Paducah, came up with this part of the expedition, 
and personally superintended the disposition of the troops. 

The First Division was next morning marched to Mil- 
burn, apparently en route for Mayfield ; but instead of 
following that path, the troops, after passing through 
Milburn, turned southward, so as to communicate with 
the force from Paducah ; and, on the 17th, were within 
eight miles of Lovelaceville. They then turned westward, 
and, on the nights of the 18th and 19th, encamped about a 
mile from Blandville. On January 20th, the column re- 
turned to Fort Jefferson. During the interval between 
the 14th and 20th of January, the infantry of this column 
marched over seventy-five miles, and the cavalry about 
one hundred and forty miles, over icy and miry roads, 
and during a most inclement season. This march was a 
very heavy one for troops who had never before been in 
the field. . The reconnoissance developed the fact that the 
rebel army was not in large force west of the Paducah 
and Mayfield railroad, except, perhaps, in the rebel works 
at Columbus, and led to the discovery of valuable side- 
roads, not laid down in any map of that time. It also 
showed that Columbus was far from being as strong as 
was supposed, and that it could be attacked in the rear by 
several different roads, along which large forces of troops 
could be moved. 

As soon as General Grant had communicated with Gen- 
eral McClernand, at bis encampment, on the night of the 
15th, and had received his report, he saw the mere shell of 



COMMODORE FOOTE'S NAVAL FORCE. 



73 



rebel defence which held that part of the State of Ken- 
tucky, and allowing General McClernand's column to 
keep up the appearance of an advance, he withdrew the 
other two columns to Cairo. He had, in fact, accom- 
plished and ascertained all that he desired by the move- 
ment. 

Commodore Foote, of the navy, had been sent in the 
autumn of 1861 to create and command a fleet of gunboats 
on the Mississippi. He had now ready for service seven 
gunboats, four of which were iron- clad. They were built 
at Cincinnati and St. Louis, then taken to Cairo to com- 
plete the outfit, and man them. To secure crews for them, 
General Grant issued a significant circular : — 

Head-Qttaetees, Disteict of Caieo, I 
Caieo, January 20, 1S62. J 

Commanders of regiments will report to these head-quarters, without 
delay, the number of river and seafaring men of their respective com- 
mands, who are willing to be transferred from the military to the gunboat 
service. Seeing the importance of fitting out our gunboats as speedily as 
possible, it is hoped there will be no delay or objections raised by company 
or regimental commanders in responding to this call. Men thus volunteer- 
ing will be discharged at the end of one year, or at the end of the war, 
should it terminate sooner. 

By order, U. S. Geant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

A few days afterward, General McClernand's forces 
were withdrawn from Kentucky, and again rendezvoused 
at Cairo, the commander being placed in temporary charge 
of the District during the necessary absence of General 
Grant. 

A few days disclosed the whole object of the move- 
ment made by General Grant's forces in the western 
part of the State of Kentucky. It must be borne in 
mind that his troops still held the posts at Paducah and 
Smithland, at the mouth of the Tennessee and Cumberland 
Eivers. 

By keeping up a false show of advance upon the rear 
of Columbus, which had several times been attacked in 
the front by armed vessels, the rebels were thoroughly 
deceived, and concentrated all their available forces in 
that vicinity. 



74 



LIFE A5s T D CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



In the mean time, General Grant was preparing for an 
advance into the State of Kentucky by an entirely differ- 
ent route, and, to have his forces well in hand, he issued 
the following order, brigading them : — 

Eead-Qttahteks, District of Caieo. J 
Caieo, February 1, 1S62. F 

For temporary government, the forces of this military district will be 
divided and commanded as follows, to wit : 

The First Brigade will consist of the Eighth. Eighteenth, Twenty- 
seventh, Twenty- ninth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Regiments of Illinois 
Volunteers, Schwartz's and Dresser's batteries, and Stewart's, Dollin's, 
O'Harnett's and Carmichael's Cavalry. Colonel R. J. Oglesby, senior 
colonel of the brigade, commanding. 

The Second Brigade will consist of the Eleventh, Twentieth, Forty- 
fifth, and Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry. Fourth Illinois Cavalry, Taylor's 
and McAllister's Artillery. (The latter with four siege guns.) Colonel 
W. H. L. Wallace commanding. 

The First and Second Brigades will constitute the First Division of the 
District of Cairo, and will be commanded by Brigadier-General John A. 
McOlernand. 

The Third Brigade will consist of the Eighth Wisconsin, Forty-ninth 
Illinois, Twenty-fifth Indiana, four companies of artillery, and such troops 
as are yet to arrive. Brigadier-General E. A. Paine commanding. 

The Fourth Brigade will be composed of the Tenth, Sixteenth, Twenty- 
second, and Thirty-third Illinois, and the Tenth Iowa Infantry ; Hou- 
taling's battery of Light Artillery, four companies of the Seventh and 
two companies of the First Illinois Cavalry. Colonel Morgan com- 
manding. 

General E. A. Paine is assigned to the command of Cairo and Mound 
City, and Colonel Morgan to the command at Bird's Point. 

17. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

Subsequently, General E. A. Paine was placed in com- 
mand at Cairo. 

The order having been publicly announced, if it fell 
into the hands of the rebels — and there was but little 
doubt that such would be the case — would give them the 
idea that the above were all the troops that comprised the 
forces under General Grant ; whereas the divisions then 
organizing under Generals G. F. Smith and Lewis Wallace, 
at the posts of Paducah and Smithland, are not mentioned 
at all. " 

General Grant, having secured his base, left Cairo on 
the night of February 2d, and, with Generals McClernand 



SCENES AT CAIRO BEFORE THE ADVANCE. 



75 



and Smith's Divisions, soon after "began moving from 
Pad.ii call upon Fort Henry, a defensive work erected near 
the border-line of the States of Kentucky and Tennessee, 
on the east side of the Tennessee Hiver, so as to command 
the stream at that point. 

The first day of February was the Sabbath. In the 
streets of Cairo is mud, mud, mud ! Dirty people, dogs, 
pigs, and carts are mingled in ludicrous confusion. 
Though a mild, sunny day, and birds are singing, noth- 
ing else would remind one of the holy time. Steamers 
ascend with soldiers on the river, and all the sights of a 
port in time of war during the week meet you in your 
walks about the town. But hark ! the church-bells toll 
the hour of worship. Sweet music amid the din and dis- 
cord through which it floats ! Enter this church, and, 
among the many soldiers, there is the nobly true and 
devout Commodore Foote. His fleet are ordered to keep 
the Sabbath, and maintain the worship of God in the 
ships. 

With an army and navy led by such commanders, 
how sublime the spectacle, and how invincible the ad- 
vance in a righteous cause ! If you visit the flagship of 
the Commodore, he will show you, amid the fourteen 
heavy guns and all the strong machinery of those dark 
engines of destruction, the Sacred Place— a quiet spot, 
where those who desire may commune with God. 

Monday dawns. The strange fleet, unseen before upon 
the Western rivers, steams from Cairo with ten regiments 
of troops in accompanying steamers, and, at nightfall, 
wheels into the Tennessee. Approaching Fort Henry, the 
anchors are dropped and scouts sent ashore. 

"You will never take Fort Henry!" said a woman 
in a farm-house which they entered. 

' 'Oh, yes, we shall. We have a fleet of iron-clad 
gunboats," said one. 

"Your gunboats will be blown sky-high before they 
get into the fort." 

"Ah! How so?" 

The question reminded the talking woman that she 
was telling secrets, and she said no more. The scouts 



76 



LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



informed her that she must explain, or go with them a 
prisoner. She then said : 

"Why, the river is full of torpedoes; and they will 
blow up your gunboats." 

The intelligence was carried to the Commodore, and 
six infernal machines raked from the bottom. The plan 
was, to pour shot and shell upon the fort from the river 
in front, and drive with this storm of iron and fiery hail 
the rebels out, for General Grant to catch with his troops 
in the rear. 

Admiral Foote had suggested to General Grant that the 
roads were so bad, it would be well for the land force to 
start an hour in advance. And when the General ex- 
pressed his confidence in the ability of the troops to reach 
the field in time, the Admiral replied, good-naturedly : "I 
shall take the fort before your forces get there;" words 
that proved to be prophetic of the important result. The 
order of march was as follows : — 

Head-Quaetees, Caibo, I 
Camp ts Field near Foet Heney, February 5, 1S62. f 

The First Division, General McClernand commanding, will move at 
eleven o'clock a. m., to-morrow, under the guidance of Lieutenant-Colonel 
McPherson, and take a position on the roads from Fort Henry to Donelson 
and Dover. 

It will be the special duty of this command to prevent all re-enforce- 
ments to Fort Henry, or escape from it; also, to be held in readiness 
to charge, and take Fort Henry by storm, promptly on the receipt of 
orders. 

Two brigades of the Second Division, General C. F. Smith command- 
ing, will start at the same hour from the west bank of the river, and take 
and occupy the heights commanding Fort Henry. This point will be held 
by so much of the artillery as can be made available, and such other troops 
as, in the opinion of the general commanding the Second Division, may be 
necessary for its protection. 

The Third Brigade, Second Division, will advance up the east bank of 
the Tennessee River as fast as it can be securely done, and be in readiness 
to charge upon the fort, or move to the support of the First Division, as 
may be necessary. 

All the forces on the west bank of the river, not required to hold the 
heights commanding Fort Henry, will return to their transports, cross to 
the east bank, and follow the First Brigade as fast as possible. 

The west bank of the Tennessee Eiver not having been reconnoitred, 
the commanding officer intrusted with taking possession of the enemy's 
works there will proceed with great caution, and obtain such information 



XAVAL ATTACK OX FORT HEXRY. 



77 



as can be gathered and such guides as can be found in the time interven- 
ing before eleven o'clock to-rnorrow. 

The troops will receive two days' rations of bread and meat in their 
haversacks. 

One company of the Second Division, armed with rifles, will be ordered 
to Flag-Officer Foote, as sharpshooters on board the gunboats. 

U. S. Gkant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

On the 5th, the fleet lay before the fortress, the dark- 
mouthed ordnance waiting the gunner's hand to pour forth 
fire and hail upon it. The first plan was to invest or sur- 
round the fort, "before the attack, and to secure the garri- 
son. But, hearing that re-enforcements were coming, at 
noon, it was decided not to wait for the troops, but that 
the Commodore should try the fight alone. The command 
flies over the fleet to open the battle. It is answered by 
a huzza, and in another moment the thunder of cannon 
shakes the decks, wrapped in smoke, and the massive iron 
hail and exploding shells falling in the fort give the garri- 
son notice that the Yankee ' ' tars ' ' are knocking for admis- 
sion within the walls. For two hours Fort Henry rains 
back her storm of heavy shot, striking the flagship Cincin- 
nati thirty-one times. Suddenly the tempest ceases, and 
the rebel flag comes down ; the garrison begin to fly. 
General Tilghman, finding his retreat cut off by the ad- 
vancing troops of General Grant, decides upon a sur- 
render. 

He was then rowed to the Admiral' s ship, and, stand- 
ing before him, inquires what terms would be granted. 
" Unconditional surrender!" was the brave and patriotic 
reply. 

The rebel officer' s answer was in the words of a gen- 
tleman who appreciated high .qualities of character in a 
foe : — 

"Well, sir, if I must surrender, it gives me pleasure 
to surrender to so brave an officer." 

"You do perfectly right to surrender," added the 
heroic Foote ; £ ' but I should not have surrendered to you 
on any condition." 

" Why so % I do not understand you," answered Gen- 
eral Tilghman, with surprise. 



78 



LIFE AXD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRATT. 



" Because I was fully determined to capture the fort, 
or go to the bottom," was the satisfactory response of the 
gallant Admiral. 

" I thought I had you, Commodore ; but you were too 
much for me." 

" How could you fight against the old flag, General ?" 

" Well, it did come hard at first ; but, if the North had 
let us alone, there would haye been no trouble. They 
would not abide by the Constitution." 

The Commodore assured him the opposite of that was 
the truth, and that the South was responsible for the 
blood shed that day. 

General Grant' s account of the affair is marked with 
the unostentatious and honorable bearing of the brave 
chieftain : — 

Hbad-Qtjaetees, Disteict of Caieo, ) 
Foet Hexet, Texx., February 6, 1862. ) 

Capt. J. C. Keltox, A. A. General, Department of Mo., St. Louis, Mo. : 

Captaix: — Owing to dispatches received from Major-General Halleck, 
and corroborating information here, to the effect that the enemy were 
rapidly re-enforcing, I thought it imperatively necessary that the fort 
should be carried to-day. My forces were not np at ten o'clock last night, 
when my order was written, therefore, I did not deem it practicable to set 
an earlier hour than eleven o'clock to-day to commence the investment. 
The gunboats started up at the same hour to commence the attack, and 
engage the enemy at not over six hundred yards. In little over one hour 
all the batteries were silenced, and the fort surrendered at discretion to 
Flag-Officer Foote, giving us all their guns, camp and garrison equipage. 
The prisoners taken are General Tilghman and Staff, Captain Taylor and 
company, and the sick. The garrison, I think, must have commenced their 
retreat last night, or at an early hour this morning. 

Had I not felt it imperative to attack Fort Henry to-day, I should 
have made the investment complete, and delayed until to-morrow, so as to 
secure the garrison. I do not believe, however, the result would have 
been any more satisfactory. 

The gunboats have proved themselves well able to resist a severe 
cannonading. All the iron-clads have received more or less shots — the flag- 
ship some twenty-eight — without any serious damage to any, except the 
Essex. This vessel received one shot in her boiler that disabled her, 
killing and wounding some thirty-two men, Captain Porter among the 
wounded. 

I remain, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Brigadier-General. 



General Tilghman, in his dispatches, bears fine testi- 



GENERAL TILGHMAN'S DISPATCHES. 



79 



mony to the greatness of Grant's character, risking above 
the mean revenge of baser minds when flushed with vic- 
tory :— 

"Through the courtesy of Brigadier- General Ulysses 
S. Grant, commanding Federal forces, I am permitted to 
communicate with you in relation to the result of the ac- 
tion between the fort under my command at this place 
and the Federal gunboats, on yesterday. I take great 
pleasure in acknowledging the courtesies and considera- 
tion shown by Brigadier- General U. S. Grant and Commo- 
dore Foote, and the officers under their command." 



80 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

THE ATTACK UPON FORT DONELSON, AND ITS RESULTS. 

General Grant turns his Attention to Fort Donelson. — The Plan of Advance. — The 
March. — Bivouac. — The Morning of Battle. — The Conflict opens. — The Struggle 
of Thursday. — The Rebels Victorious. — The Heroism of "Wallace's Troops. — 
The Tide of Battle turns.— The Council of War.— The Victory.— The Second 
Conclave of Rebel General?. — The Surrender. — The General Joy. — General 
Grant's Report. — Incidents. — Fine Commemorative Lines. 

The reduction of Fort Henry, in which the lamented 
Christian hero, Commodore Foote, was providentially con- 
spicuous, was only a part of the grand work to be accom- 
plished in the general plan of the commanding mind. No 
time was wasted by General Grant over the success of his 
movement ; "but he at once ordered all available troops in 
his district to be sent to his command, for an advance upon 
the more formidable works of Fort Donelson, on the west- 
ern shore of the Cumberland River, a dozen miles from 
Fort Henry. These fortifications, guarding the waters 
flowing into the Ohio, as will be seen on the map, were 
the great barrier between the Union army and the very 
heart of the treasonable Confederacy. 

The plan of march was given in the following order, 
issued on the evening of February 11 : — 

One brigade of the First Division will move by the Telegraph Road 
directly upon Fort Donelson, halting for further orders at a distance of two 
miles from the fort. The other brigades of the First Division will move 
by the Dover Ridge road, and halt at the same distance from the fort, 
and throw out troops, so as to form a continuous line between the two 
wings. 

The two brigades of the Second Division, now at Fort Henry, will 
follow as rapidly as practicable, by the Dover road, and will be followed 
by the troops from Fort Heiman, as fast as they can be ferried across the 
river. 

One brigade of the Second Division should be thrown into Dover, to 
cut off all retreat ly the river, if found practicable to do so. 



THE aTAECII 0^ FOET DOXELSOX. 



si 



The force of the enemy being so variously reported, it is impossible to 
give exact details of attack ; but the necessary orders will be given on the 
field. II. S. Geaxt. 

Haying properly disposed of the troops in brigades and 
divisions, he placed the latter under the command of the 
following generals : — 

First Division — Acting Major- General J. A. McCler- 
nand. 

Second Division — Acting Major- General C. F. Smith. 
Third Division — Acting Major-General Lewis Wal- 
lace. 

While the First and Second Divisions of the army 
were to march across the country, and attack the fort in 
the rear, another division, attended by the gunboats, was 
sent up the Cumberland, to make the assault from that 
direction. There was, it would seem, a lack of close cal- 
culation in regard to the time required to descend the Ohio 
and go up the Cumberland, which, as will be seen in the 
final conflict, deranged, to some extent, the movements of 
the troops. General Lewis Wallace, with a single bri- 
gade, remained at Fort Henry, while six of his regiments 
embarked on the steamboats. It was a splendid specta- 
cle, when those transports sailed down the Tennessee, with 
banners flying over the crowded decks, glittering with 
burnished arms, gay with uniforms, and the whole scene 
enlivened with martial music. The fleet met other boats, 
and, turning them back, they all moved — a grand naval 
cavalcade — up the Cumberland. 

Meanwhile the land forces, on the morning of Febru- 
ary 12th, were followed by General Grant and staff. The 
winding road between the forts was among steep hills, 
over sandy plains, and along deep ravines shaded by 
primeval forests. Occasionally a solitary clearing, with 
its quiet farm-house, greeted the eye of the heroic host. 
As night came down they halted by the side of a brook, 
whose waters had rare music to the ear of the weary 
troops. They had no tents, but uncomplainingly began to 
prepare for a brief repose upon the frozen ground swept by 
the chilly winds. The woodman's ax, wielded by strong 
arms, soon brought down the forest-trees, and cheerful 

6 



82 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



fires on every hand soon lit up the wintry scene. Stray 
pigs were pierced by Minie balls, and the next moment 
were smoking, in fragments, over the glowing embers. 
After supper, the men prepared from the dead leaves their 
beds, beneath the lowering sky, and, wrapping their 
blankets around them, sought a brief repose. Thus fifteen 
thousand men, excepting the pickets, who kept sleepless 
watch toward Fort Donelson, slumbered on the cold bosom 
of the earth, which, a few hours later and a few miles dis- 
tant, would be reddened with the blood of hundreds of 
that great army. Its two divisions comprised seven bri- 
gades, commanded by Colonels Oglesby, Wallace, McAr- 
thur, Morrison, Cook, Louman, and Smith. Accompany- 
ing the First Division were Schwartz's, Taylors, Dresser's, 
and McAllister 1 s Batteries. In the Second Division there 
was a remarkable regiment of sharpshooters, command- 
ed Joy Colonel Birge. They were old hunters, and wore 
suits of gray, small caps, buffalo knapsacks, and a pow- 
der-horn. The shrill whistle, which each man carried, 
gave the signals for all their movements. They would 
creep or dart along the forest-paths with Indian-like 
stealthiness and agility, sending the unerring bullet from 
their ambush into the rebel lines ; then turning in a mo- 
ment, on their backs, load again the death-dealing rifle. 
The cavalry swept the country to observe the position and 
movements of the enemy. 

On the early morning of February 13th, General Grant* s 
columns were again in motion. Before the sun had 
reached the horizon, the white tents of the foe appeared 
upon the hills in the intrenchments. The army of the 
Union paused to survey the field of impending conflict. 
The activity of preparation was visible there ; implements 
and arms were moving in every direction. It was too near 
night to do more than take a look at the enemy, and then 
refresh their weary forms with the supper, and rest on the 
cold ground, for the next day's sanguinary work. While 
yet the flush of morning heralded a bright and mild day, 
the startling scream of a rebel shell was heard over the 
heads of Colonel Oglesby' s Brigade. The brave fellows 
answered with a "Hurra !" and looked with flashing eye 



THE MARCH ON FORT DONELSOK 



83 



toward sombre Donelson, frowning defiance on the defend- 
ers of the republic. Sweeping down with flying banners 
on the citadel of treason, General Modei-nand' s Division 
moved along the Dover Road, led by Oglesby's Brigade, to 
the west and south of the fortifications, and General Smith 
remained opposite the northwest angle of the fort 

The tempest of shot and shell now began to fall on our 
ranks from the enemy' s batteries, while our own returned 
the fire. Thus all the forenoon the artillery fight thun- 
dered on, drowning the crack of countless rifles under the 
breastwork. Then the infantry opened their fire. General 
McClernand had fixed his eye upon a redoubt on the 
west side of the town, which, with the rifle-pits, protected 
their batteries, and he resolved to take it. The Forty- 
eighth, Seventeenth, and Forty-ninth Illinois Regiments 
were selected for a storming party, and commanded by 
Colonel Hayne. McAllister's Battery covered the attack. 
The word of command to advance rang along the lines of 
those sons of the republic, most of whom had never been 
in the smoke of battle before. It was a sad and a glorious 
sight to see that living tide moving over the undulating 
ground, and then rushing up the hight into the sheets of 
flame, with steady step, and firing with deliberate aim as 
they advanced. Men fell, but their places were promptly 
supplied. They reached the impassable abatis, and then 
only paused in their gallant assault. Colonel Birge's 
sharpshooters were called to the rescue, and were soon 
hidden among the bushes in rifle-range of the enemy, 
dropping his pickets, and getting close to his batteries. 
Strangely comic scenes transpired amid this roar and din 
of murderous battle. A rebel head apparently rose above 
the breastworks, and toward it whistled a bullet, piercing 
only a hat covering a ramrod. A shout of derision came 
from the unharmed owner below. " Why don't you come 
out of your old fort?" exclaims one of Birge's men. 
" Why don't you come in?" was the reply. "Oh, you 
are cowards !" responded another Union soldier. "When 
are you going to take the fort V ' came back. 

When that Thursday night flung its shadows over the 
great crescent formed by our army, whose tips reached 



84 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



nearly to the river's bank, above and below the fort, and 
over the fortress lying thus within the ample curve, it 
was a dark hour for the National troops. The dying and 
the dead were in thicket and hospital — the steamers had 
not arrived— our force was inferior to that of the foe — the 
rations gone, excepting a little hard-tack — and the rain fall- 
ing upon the farrowed soil and matted leaves. Blankets 
and overcoats had been thrown away, and the very ele- 
ments seemed to conspire against the surviving heroes of 
that terrible day. There was suffering in every part of 
the gloomy arena of conflict. 

The morning of Friday, the 14th, dawned upon the hos- 
tile armies, both in anxious mood — the rebels ignorant of 
their superiority in numbers, and our troops waiting impa- 
tiently for the arrival of the fleet, without a thought of ulti- 
mate failure. 

" We came here to take the fort, and we intend to do 
it," were the brave words of Colonel Oglesby. 

At length a courier announced the appearance of the 
gunboats in the distance, and when the roar of the Caron- 
delet' s columbiad was heard, it was welcomed with cheers 
from even dying lips. The men and supplies were landed 
three miles below, and a path to them opened through the 
forest. General Grant had sent, in the mean time, orders 
to Fort Henry for the troops there. 

Of the re-enforcements, General Lewis Wallace led a 
division, in which Colonel Cruft commanded the flrst 
brigade. 

The day was consumed in putting the forces in battle 
array, and supplying them with rations and ammunition. 

At three o'clock p. m., Commodore Foote brought up 
the already scarred leviathans of naval warfare, and 
opened the assault upon the fort. In another moment, 
fire, smoke, falling shot, and bursting shells covered the 
fleet, and the lofty walls and grounds of Fort Donelson. 
It was a terrible scene. 

While Commodore Foote' s flag-ship, the St. Louis, was 
under a tempest of the massive iron hail, he said to the 
pilot, kindly: "Be calm and firm; everything depends 
upon coolness now." The next moment, a sixty -four- 



BRAVERY OF THE ILLINOIS REGIMENTS. 85 

pound shot came hissing along the decks : a stunning 
sound— a crash — and the pilot lay a mangled corpse at the 
Commodore's feet. The ball had crushed its way through 
the iron plating, and a fragment pierced the Commodore's 
ankle. Still, his courage and faith made him. quite forget- 
ful of the painful injury. Through the steering apparatus 
of this vessel and the Louisville, other heavy balls had 
been hurled, leaving them both at the mercy of the cur 
rent ; and they were compelled to drift from the scene of 
action. In one hour and a quarter it was all over, and 
Fort Donelson was wild with the hurra of fancied vic- 
tory. 

The rudder-chains of the Carondelet were cut by a shot, 
the pilot-house of the St. Louis crushed, and the pilot 
killed, and fifty others slain. 

That night, while suffering from the severe wound in 
his foot, the Commodore wrote to a friend, in the sublimely 
heroic language of ''the highest style of man" — a Chris- 
tian : — 

6 ' While I hope ever to rely on Him who controls all 
things, and to say from my heart, ' Not unto us, but unto 
Thee, O Lord, belongs the glory,' yet I feel bad at the 
result of the attack upon Fort Donelson. To see brave 
officers and men, who say they will go where I lead them, 
fall by my side, it makes me sad to lead them to almost 
certain death." 

While thus relieving his burdened heart, General Grant 
was maturing his plan for thoroughly investing the fort- 
ress, to reduce it by siege, or wait until the gunboats could 
be repaired ; and at the same hour General Floyd held a 
council of war at his head-quarters in the town. Generals 
Buckner, J ohnson, Pillow, and other officers were in the 
rebel conclave, deliberating upon the order of next day's 
battle. That prince of thieves, Floyd, guessed the design 
of his enemy, and did not care to fall into his hands by the 
surrender of the fort. It was therefore decided to antici- 
pate General Grant, and, at daybreak on Saturday, hurl the 
divisions of Pillow and Johnson upon McClernand' s col- 
umns, forcing him back upon Wallace, while Buckner, 
with the remaining half of the troops, came out from the 



86 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



northwest angle of the fort, pressed Wallace toward Mc- 
Clernand, and, by the shuttlecock game, create general 
disorder in the Union army, from which to snatch victory, 
or open a way of escape frem the grasp of General Grant. 

Before the bugle-notes of Saturday's reveille had died 
away over the reposing troops lying on the snow-whitened 
ground, the report of rifles was the signal of danger. 
General B. R. Johnson, with twelve thousand men, was 
falling, by a circuitous march, upon the troops of Oglesby, 
McArthur, and Wallace, hastening into position. 

The batteries of Schwartz, Dunn, and McAllister had 
turned their front toward General Pillow's battalions. Un- 
der the terrible onset of a rebel brigade, General Logan, 
the brave and patriotic Congressman, who told the Southern 
conspirators the men of the Northwest w ould hew their 
way to the Gulf of Mexico if the Mississippi were closed, 
held his regiment, the Thirty-first Illinois, firmly under 
the horrible tempest of unequal battle. 

McArthur was compelled, after gallant resistance, to 
yield, and the prospect of making a hopeless breach in 
the living wall of Union hearts brightened to the demoniac 
eye of treason. Oh ! how those Illinois regiments, the 
Eleventh, Twentieth, Forty-fifth, Forty-eighth, and por- 
tions of the Forty-ninth and Seventeenth, breasted the 
tide of exultant, desperate foemen, till the snow became 
crimson around the pavement of dead men ! 

General Buckner's troops left the intrenchments at this 
crisis, and rushed upon Wallace. 

Before the greatest part of the rebel army, McClernand's 
troops melted rapidly away. Oglesby was driven back, and 
still Wallace stood unyielding in the slaughter. The posi- 
tion of Wallace, with Pillow's brigades in front and on the 
right, and Buckner's on the left, now became desperate. 
He began to retreat, but continued firing at the enemy. 
There was some confusion occasioned by re-enforcements 
mistaking their brethren-in-arms for the enemy, and open- 
ing fire. A few frightened troops broke ranks and fled to 
the rear. Among them was an officer, who, Gilpin-like, 
dashed wildly along the road, exclaiming: u We are cut 
to pieces ! The day is lost !" 



STGRMIXG THE ENEMY'S E AMP ARTS. 87 

"Shut up your head, you scoundrel!" shouted "back 
General Wallace. The effect was magical upon his troops ; 
but signs of disaster increased., and the columns took the 
"double-quick," General Wallace galloping in advance. 
Colonel "Wallace, leading back his brigade, came up, and 
calmly said : " We are out of ammunition. The enemy are 
following. If you will put your troops into line, until we 
can fill our cartridge-boxes, we will stop them." The 
general was astonished and reassured. His batteries were 
put in position, and ready to open upon the approaching 
enemy. The rebels had paused upon the held from which 
they swept McClernand, to rifle the pockets of the dead 
and dying. 

The elated General Pillow telegraphed to Nashville : 
"On the honor of a soldier, the day is ours !" Uniting 
their columns, and flushed with success and the spoils of 
victory, Generals Buckner and Pillow again advanced. 
Over the bloody brook, the piled bodies, and the mangled 
living, rushed the angry masses of armed men. The rebel 
forces struck at length the First Nebraska, whose stalwart 
hunters neither feared nor wasted fire, and the "'proud 
waves were stayed." They stood wild and raging a mo- 
ment, and, failing where the hunters were most effective 
in their aim, then trembling, rolled back. 

Lying before the breastworks, in ambush, were Birge's 
sharpshooters. A splendid rebel marksman, whose rifle 
had slain a number of our officers, and one of these hunt- 
ers, had a comical duel. The former, raising his hat above 
the ramparts, deceived the sharpshooter, sending a loud 
laugh to the equally shrewd antagonist. Then a return 
shot passed over him. Turning on his back, he loaded his 
gun, and lay perfectly still. After waiting a while, the 
rebel thought his ball had done the work. Up went his 
head, cap and all, that he might enjoy the view of his dead 
enemy. "Crack!" went the well-aimed rifle, and back- 
ward into the trenches fell the just now laughing rebel. 

In his tent, at head-quarters, General Grant sat, without 
any shadow of despondency on his face ; his lips, well sur- 
rounded by short, sand}^ hair, compressed with his native 
inflexibility of purpose. One after another, the subor- 



88 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



dinate officers brought in reports from the commanders. 
His brightening eye glanced over the pages scarcely dry, 
and with triumph he exclaimed to a member of his staff : 
* ' We have them now just where we want them. ' ' His plan 
was formed. The rifle-pits on the northwest angle of the 
fort must be carried, and make an approach for the batteries 
to shell it. General Smith' s Division, stationed there, had 
been in reserve, and could start fresh on the daring and 
awful venture. General Wallace was ordered to drive the 
rebels, before whom he had retired, back, and assault the 
works there. 

Colonel M. L. Smith led the brigade. Right there on 
the bloody field, with a desperate attack before them, and 
certain death to many, the Eighth and Eleventh Missouri 
fairly quarreled for the honor of taking the front, the most 
exposed position in the assault. To the announcement of 
the work before them, the reply was, " Hurra! hurra !" 
and " then "Forward!" to the storming of the ramparts. 
But away in the mellow glory of the setting sun, in solid 
masses, General Smith' s Division advanced over the mea- 
dow, toward the bristling rows of rifle-pits. Along the 
dauntless lines of "citizen soldiery," like an incarnation 
of the daring and gallantry of the high occasion, rode the 
veteran, his long locks, whitening to the ' ' almond blossom," 
streaming back upon the electric air of that eventful even- 
ing. Heavy shot and bursting shell made clean avenues 
through the unflinching columns. They closed again for 
another harvest of death. Up and down that front, lifting 
high his cap, amid the hissing missiles that rent the air, 
galloped General Smith. "Steady ! steady !" and it was 
steady — steady advance and steady slaughter. Wallace 
did his work on the right, and Cook upon the left. Against 
fallen trees, into the thunder-cloud ablaze, and raining 
bolts, the unshrinking battalions dashed, as though they 
were leaping into the spray of a summer sea. 

We will let "Caiieton," who was there, tell, in his 
own fine style, the rest of that memorable day' s story of 
carnage and heroism, and what the rebel commanders did 
"at dead of night." 

"The rebels reeled, staggered, tumbled, ran! 



A REBEL COUNCIL OF WAR. 



89 



" 'Hurra!' 

. " It is a wild, prolonged, triumphant shout, like the blast 
of a trumpet. They planted their banners on the works, 
and fired their volleys into the retreating foe. Stone's 
battery galloped over the meadow, over the logs, up the 
hill ; the horses leaped and plunged as if they, too, knew 
that victory was hanging in the scale. The gunners sprang 
from their seats, wheeled their pieces, and threw their 
shells — an enfilading fire — into the upper works. 

"' Hurra! hurra! hurra!' rang through the forest, 
down the line to Wallace' s men. 

"'We have carried the works! We are inside!' 
shouted an officer, bearing the welcome news. 

"The men tossed their caps in the air; they shook 
hands ; they shouted, and broke into singing. They forgot 
all their hardships and sufferings, the hungry days, the 
horrible nights, the wounded and the dead. The success 
is worth all the sacrifice. 

' ' All through the night, the brave men held the ground 
they had so nobly won. They rested on snowy beds. 
They had no supper. They would kindle no fires to 
warm the wintry air. The cannon above them hurled 
down shells, and sent volleys of grape, which screamed 
above and around them, like the voices of demons, in the 
darkness. The branches of the trees were torn from their 
trunks by the solid shot, and the trunks were splintered 
from top to bottom ; but they did not falter or retire from 
that slope, where the snow was crimsoned with the life- 
blood of hundreds of their comrades. Nearly four hundred 
had fallen in that attack. The hill had cost a great deal of 
blood ; but it was worth all it cost, and they would not 
give it up. So they braved the leaden rain and iron hail 
through the weary hours of that winter night. They only 
waited for daybreak, to storm the inner works and take 
the fort. Their ardor and enthusiasm were unbounded. 

"As the morning approached they heard a bugle-call. 
They looked across the narrow ravine, and saw, in the dim 
light of the dawn, a man waving a white flag upon the 
intrenchments. It was a sign for a parley. He jumped 
down from the embankment and descended the hill. 



90 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



' ' ' Halt ! Who comes there V shouted the picket. 

" ' Flag of truce, with a letter for General Grant' " 

An officer took the letter, and hastened down the slope, 
across the meadow, up to the house on the Dover Eoad, 
where General Grant had his head-quarters. 

During the night, there had been another council of 
war at General Floyd's head-quarters, hearty all the 
rebel officers commanding brigades and regiments were 
there. They were downhearted. They had fought bravely, 
won a victory, as they thought ; but had lost it. A rebel 
officer, who was there, told me what they said. General 
Floyd and General Pillow blamed General Buckner for 
not advancing earlier in the morning, and for making what 
they thought a feeble attack. They could have escaped, 
after they drove McClernand across the brook ; but now 
they were hemmed in. The prospect was gloomy. The 
tropps were exhausted by the long conflict, by constant 
watching, and by the cold. What bitter nights those were 
to the men who came from Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi, 
where the roses bloom and the bluebirds sing through all 
the winter months ! 

What should be done ? Should they make another 
attack, and cut their way out, or should they surrender ? 

" I cannot hold my position a half-hour. The Yankees 
can turn my flank or advance directly upon the breast- 
works," said General Buckner. 

6 6 If you had advanced at the time agreed upon, and 
made a more vigorous attack, we should have routed the 
enemy," said General Floyd. 

' ' I advanced as soon as I could, and my troops fought 
as bravely as others," was the response from General 
Buckner, a middle-aged, medium-sized man. His hair is 
iron-gray. He has thin whiskers and a mustache, and 
wears a gray kersey overcoat with a great cape, and gold 
lace on the sleeves, and a black hat with a nodding black 
plume. 

" Well, here we are, and it is useless to renew the at- 
tack with any hope of success. The men are exhausted," 
said General Floyd, a stout, heavy man, with thick lips, a 
large nose, evil eyes, and coarse features. 



FLIGHT OF TWO REBEL GENERALS. 



91 



"We can cut our way out," said Major Brown, com- 
manding the Twentieth Mississippi, a tail, black -haired, 
impetuous, fiery man. 

' ' Some of us might escape in that way, but the attempt 
would be attended with great slaughter," responded Gen- 
eral Floyd. 

" My troops are so worn out, and cut to pieces, and de- 
moralized, that I can't make another fight," said Euckner. 

" My troops will fight till they die !" answered Major 
Brown, setting his teeth together. 

" It will cost the command three-quarters of its present 
number to cut its way through ; and it is wrong to sacri- 
fice three-quarters of a command to save the other quar- 
ter," Buckner continued. 

"No officer has a right to cause such, a sacrifice," said 
Major Gilmer, of General Pillow's staff. 

' ' But we can hold out another day, and by that time 
we can get steamboats here to take us across the river," 
said General Pillow. 

"No, I can't hold my position a half-hour ; and the 
Yankees will renew the attack at daybreak," Buckner 
replied. 

" Then we have got to surrender, for aught I see," said 
an officer. 

"I won't surrender the command, neither will I bo 
taken prisoner," said Floyd. He doubtless remembered 
how he had stolen public property while in office under 
Buchanan, and would rather die than fall into the hands 
of those who, he knew, would be likely to bring liim to 
an account for his villainy. 

" I don't intend to be taken prisoner," said Pillow. 

"What will you do, gentlemen V Buckner asked. 

"I mean to escape, and take my Virginia brigade with 
me, if I can. I shall turn over the command to General 
Pillow. I have a right to escape, if I can, but I haven't 
any right to order the entire army to make a hopeless 
light," said Floyd. 

" If you surrender it to me, I shall turn it over to Gen- 
eral Buckner," said General Pillow, who was also dis- 
posed to shirk responsibility and desert the men whom he 



92 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



had induced to vote to secede from the Union and take up 
arms against their country. 

- " If the command comes into my hands, I shall deem it 
my duty to surrender it. I shall not call upon the troops 
to make a useless sacrifice of life, and I will not desert the 
men who have fought so nobly," Buckner replied, with a 
bitterness which made Floyd and Pillow wince. 

It was past midnight. The council broke up. The 
brigade and regimental officers were astonished at the 
result. Some of them broke out into horrid cursing and 
swearing at Floyd and Pillow. 

"It is mean!" "It is cowardly!" "Floyd always 
was a rascal." 

"We are betrayed!" "There is treachery!" said 
they. 

" It is a mean trick for an officer to desert his men. If 
myiroops are to be surrendered, I shall stick by them," 
said Major Brown. 

" I denounce Pillow as a coward ; and if I ever meet 
him, I'll shoot him as quick as I would a dog," said Major 
McLain, red with rage. 

Floyd gave out that he was going to join Colonel For- 
rest, who commanded the cavalry, and thus cut his way 
out. But there were two or three small steamboats at the 
Dover landing. He and General Pillow jumped on board 
one of them, and then secretly marched a portion of the 
Virginia Brigade on board. Other soldiers saw what was 
going on — that they were being deserted. They became 
frantic with terror and rage. They rushed on board, 
crowding every part of the boat. 

" Cut loose !" shouted Floyd to the captain. 

The boats swung into the stream and moved up the 
river, leaving thousands of infuriated soldiers on the land- 
ing. So, the man who had stolen the public property, 
and who did all he could to bring on the war, — who in- 
duced thousands of poor, ignorant men to take up arms, — 
deserted his post, stole away in the darkness, and left 
them to their fate. 

It is not strange that a messenger appeared, bringing 
this message :— 



SURRENDER OF FORT DONELSON. 



93 



Head-Qitaetees, Foet Donelson, February 16, 18G2. 

. Sie : — In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present 
situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the commanding officer of 
the Federal forces the appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms 
of capitulation of the forces and fort under my command, and, in that 
view, suggest an armistice till twelve o'clock to-day. 

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

S. B. Bucknee, Brig.-Gen. 0. S. A. 
To Brigadier-General Geant, commanding United States forces near Fort 
Donelson. 

Had the rebel general known his conqueror, he would 
never have sent such a line. Grant did not want many 
minutes to consider his reply. In place of any such pro- 
posal, the bearer's hand had the subjoined brief and com- 
prehensive note : — 

Head-Quaetees, Army in the Field, J 
Camp neae Donelson, February 16, 1S62. » 

To-Geneeal S. B. Bttcenee, Confederate Army: 

Yours of this date, proposing an armistice, and appointment of com- 
missioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. Ho terms other 
than unconditional and immediate surrender can oe accepted. I propose to 
move immediately upon your icorJcs. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. Commanding. 

Buckner knew, what Grant did not, that Pillow and 
Floyd had fled the night before, leaving him alone. The 
proud, helpless, and chagrined Buckner was obliged to 
make the best of a very unpleasant affair. So he wrote 
this answer : — 

Head-Quartees, Dovee, Tennessee, February 16, 1S62. 

To Brigadier-General IT. S. Geant, U. S. A. : 

Sie: — The distribution of the forces under my command, incident to an 
unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under 
your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the 
Confederate arms yesterday, to accept *the ungenerous and unchivalrous 
terms which you propose. 

I am, sir, your very obedient servant, 

S. B. Bucknee, Brig.-Gen. 0. S. A. 

The soldiers again slept on their arms, with the inten- 
tion of renewing the attack at daybreak ; but the morning 
sun found a flag of truce waving over the enemy' s works. 
The rebels wished to treat for a surrender. 



94 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



And thus fell into the hands of General Grant and his 
army the whole of the forces that garrisoned the works 
of Forts Henry and Donelson, with the exception of one 
small brigade of rebel troops, which escaped during the 
night with Generals Floyd and Pillow. The troops under 
the former general were stationed in the extreme rear of 
the works ; and when it was ascertained that the day was 
certainly lost, the two generals, with this brigade, left Gen- 
eral Buckner to please himself as to whether he would 
run, light, or surrender. 

The rebel loss in the surrender of Fort Heniy was the 
commander, General Tilghman, his staff, and about sixty 
men, the rest of the garrison having moved to support the 
troops at Fort Donelson. At Fort Donelson the rebels 
lost General Buckner, over thirteen thousand prisoners, 
three thousand horses, forty-eight field-pieces, seventeen 
heavy guns, twenty thousand stand of arms, and a large 
quantity of commissary stores. The rebels killed in the 
last engagement were two hundred and thirty-one, and 
wounded, one thousand and seven, some of whom were 
prisoners. The Union loss was four hundred and forty- 
six killed, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-five 
wounded, and one hundred and fifty prisoners. The 
Union troops having to fight in an open field, against the 
works of the rebels, accounts for the disparity of numbers 
in killed and wounded. 

Two regiments of rebel Tennesseans, who had been 
ordered to re-enforce the garrison at Fort Donelson, 
marched into that work on the day after the capitulation, 
being unaware of its capture. They went along with their 
colors flying and their bands playing, and were allowed to 
enter the camp without any warning as to the character 
and nationality of those who held it in possession. The 
whole force (one thousand four hundred and seventy-five, 
men and officers) were at once captured. 

The result of this campaign was far more valuable than 
would at the first sight appear. The rebel line, at this 
particular part of the country, may be said to have ex- 
tended from Columbus to Bowling Green, Kentucky, a 
distance of one hundred and twenty miles, with the ex- 



ARRIVAL OF GUIs BOATS. 



95 



treme points of each, wing resting on those two places, 
which had been strongly fortified. The reduction of Forts 
Henry and Donelson, and the opening of the rivers at this 
point, broke the center or backbone of this whole line, 
and, as a natural sequence, the wings had to fall. In a 
few days after, both Bowling Green and Columbus were 
in the possession of the Union troops, the rebels having 
evacuated those defences, 

General Grant' s clear and impartial outline of the strug- 
gle is quite characteristic :-— 

Head-Quartees, Aemy in the Field, (_ 
Fort Donelson, February 16, 1S62. I 

General G. W. Oullum, Chief of Staff, Department of Missouri : 

General : — I am pleased to announce to you the unconditional surrender, 
this morning, of Fort Donelson, with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners, 
at least forty pieces of artillery, and a large amount of stores, horses, mules, 
and other public property. 

I left Fort Henry on the 12th instant, with a force of about fifteen 
thousand men, divided into two divisions, under the command of Generals 
ITcClernand and Smith. Six regiments were sent around by water the day 
before, convoyed by a gunboat, or rather started one day later than one of 
the gunboats, with instructions not to pass it. 

The troops made the march in good order, the head of the column 
arriving within two miles of the fort at twelve o'clock, m. At this point 
the enemy's pickets were met and driven in. 

The fortifications of the enemy were from this point gradually ap- 
proached and surrounded, with occasional skirmishing on the line. The 
following day, owing to the non-arrival of the gunboats and re-enforce- 
ments sent by water, no attack was made ; but the investment was ex- 
tended on the flanks of the enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with 
skirmishing all day. The evening of the 18th, the gunboats and re-enforce- 
ments arrived. On the 14th, a gallant attack was made by Flag-Officer 
Foote upon the enemy's works with his fleet. The engagement lasted 
probably one hour and a half, and bid fair to result favorably to the cause 
of the Union, when two unlucky shots disabled two of the armored gun- 
boats, so that they were carried back by -the current. The remaining two 
were very much disabled also, having received a number of heavy shots 
about the pilot-house and other parts of the vessels. After these mishaps, 
I concluded to make the investment of Fort Donelson as perfect as possible, 
and partially fortify, and await repairs to the gunboats. This plan was 
frustrated, however, by the enemy making a most vigorous attack upon our 
right wing, commanded by General J. A. McClernand, with a portion of 
the force under General L. Wallace. The enemy were repelled after a 
closely contested battle of several hours, in which our loss was heavy. The 
ofiicers, and particularly field-officers, suffered out of proportion. I have 



96 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



not the means yet of determining our loss even approximately, but it can- 
not fall far short of one thousand two hundred killed, wounded, and miss- 
ing. Of the latter, I understand through General Buckner, about two 
hundred and fifty were taken prisoners. I shall retain enough of the 
enemy to exchange for them, as they were immediately shipped off and not 
left for recapture. 

About the close of this action the ammunition in the cartridge-boxes 
gave out, which, with the loss of many of the field-officers, produced great 
confusion in the ranks. Seeing that the enemy did not take advantage of 
this fact, I ordered a charge upon the left — enemy's right — with the division 
under General 0. F. Smith, which was most brilliantly executed, and gave 
to our arms full assurance of victory. The battle lasted until dark, giving 
us possession of part of their intrenchments. An attack was ordered upon 
their other flank, after the charge of General Smith was commenced, by 
the divisions under Generals McClernand and Wallace, which, notwith- 
standing the hours of exposure to a heavy fire in the fore part of the day, 
was gallantly made, and the enemy further repulsed. At the points thus 
gained, night having come on, all the troops encamped for the night, 
feeling that a complete victory would crown their labors at an early hour 
in the morning. This morning, at a very early hour, General S. B. Buck- 
ner sent a message to our camp under a flag of truce, proposing an 
armistice, etc. A copy of the correspondence which ensued is herewith 
appended. 

I cannot mention individuals who specially distinguished themselves, 
but leave that to division and brigade officers, whose reports will be 
forwarded as soon as received. To division commanders, however, Gen- 
erals McClernand, Smith, and Wallace, I must do the justice to say that 
each of them was with his command in the midst of danger, and was 
always ready to execute all orders, no matter what the exposure to him- 
self. 

At the hour the attack was made on General McClernand's command, 
I was absent, having received a note from Flag-Officer Foote, requesting 
me to go and see him, he being unable to call. 

My personal staff — Colonel J. D. Webster, Chief of Staff ; Colonel J. 
Riggin, Jr., Volunteer Aide: Captain J. A. Rawlins, Assistant Adjutant- 
General ; Captains C. B. Lagow and W. S. Hillyer, Aides ; and Lieutenant- 
colonel V. B. McPherson, Chief Engineer — all are deserving of personal 
mention for their gallantly and services. 

For full details and reports and particulars, reference is made to the 
reports of the Engineer, Medical Director, and commanders of brigades 
and divisions, to follow. 

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Brigadier-General. 



There will always be an unwritten history of such 
"battle-days and nights — deeds and words of valor which 



A HERO— GENERAL GRANT. 



97 



Jive only in the memories of the few who saw and heard 
them. An incident will illustrate. 

In the Mnth Illinois Regiment, a soldier received a 
shot through his arm. The wound was dressed, and again 
he hastened to his place in the ranks. Soon after, a ball 
entered his thigh, and he fell. His brave associates offered 
him help. "JSTo," he replied; "I think I can get along 
alone." Away he staggered, leaning on his gun, through 
the iron and leaden hail, found a surgeon, who did his 
work, and gave the brave refreshment, He rose, and 
saying, "I feel pretty well; I must go into the fight 
again," he joined his comrades. He stooped to point his 
gun ; a bullet pierced his neck, and went downward into 
his body. The next moment balls riddled his head, and 
the mangled hero fell in death. Such were the warriors, 
who, thinking not of fame or life, lay down under the 
dear old flag waving on the battered walls of Donelson. 

The magnificent conquest sent a thrill of joy over the 
nation. Thousands of cannon in the peaceful towns of 
the North thundered forth the rejoicing, and banners 
floated over almost every loyal house. 

Our modest victor, in the successful performance of a 
great duty to the country lie loved better than life, took 
another stride in the rapid march of fame. He was made 
Major- General of Volunteers, dating from the day of the 
fort's surrender, February 16, 1862. 

No one would suspect, from the manner of General 
Grant, amid these exciting events and clustering honors, 
the echoing salutes and hurrahs of the soldiery and the 
people, that he was the hero and object of them all. Un- 
ostentatious, "calm as a clock," he kept time to the 
"drum-beat of duty," unheeding the storm of conflict, or 
the sunshine of triumph around him. 

Let us take a glimpse at scenes apart from the hero 
and the strife. A friend, who went to the fort after the 
victory, in behalf of the Christian Commission — one of 
the noblest enterprises called out by the war, blessing 
the embattled hosts in its care for them physically and 
spiritually — related two striking incidents. He visited a 
hospital- steamer, and found, not far apart, fatally wound- 



\ 



98 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ed, a religious and a profane young man. The former 
was ready to die under the old flag, with a banner seen 
only by faith, bearing the "Star of Bethlehem" and the 
" stripes by which we are healed," flying oyer him. The 
other said: "I have never prayed. And do you think, 
after such a life, I will now ask for mercy ! Never ! I 
will face the music." And soon he also died. 

Going to the plains of death, he saw a soldier half 
buried in the snowy mud, lying on his back with a 
Testament, which had fallen from the side-pocket of his 
coat, on the breast. Further on, he came against a corpse, 
from the pocket of whose coat a pack of cards had drop- 
ped, and were scattered over it and on the ground. What 
instructive contrasts along the track of unpitying war ! 

In the Atlantic Monthly appeared the following fine 
little poem, commemorative of the costly yet magnificent 
victory. 

O gales, that dash the Atlantic swell 

Along our rocky shores, 
Whose thunders diapason well 

New England's glad hurrahs ; 

Bear to the prairies of the West 

The echoes of our joy, 
The prayer that springs in every breast — 

"God bless thee, Illinois!'' 

Oh, awful hours, when grape and shell 

Tore through the unflinching line ! 
u Stand firm ! Remove the men who fell ? 

Close up, and wait the sign!" 

It came at last : " Now, lads, the steel !" 

The rushing hosts deploy ; 
" Charge, boys !." The broken traitors reel ; 

Hurrah for Illinois ! 

In vain thy rampart, Donelson, 

The living torrent bars ; 
It leaps the wall — the fort is won — 

Up go the Stripes and Stars. 

Thy proudest mother's eyelids fill, 

As dares her gallant boy, 
And Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill 

Yearn to thee, Illinois. 



HABITS OF MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. 



99 



CHAPTER VII. 

HABITS OF MAJOR-GENERAL GRANT. 

Rumors about the Habits of Major-Geueral Grant. — Amusing Incident. — Enlarged 
Field of Actiou. — Congratulations to his Army. — Movements of the Fleet. — 
General Grants Discipline. — Sword Presentation. — Enlarged Command. — Prep- 
arations for Conflict at Corinth. — The advance to Pittsburg Landing. — The 
Plans of the Enemy. — He Surprises the Union Army. — The Battle of Sunday. 
— The arrival of General Buell. — General Grant Victorious. — Congratulations. 
— A Christian Hero. 

General Grant was becoming sufficiently conspicu- 
ous to attract general interest, and lead those who, for 
any reason, would weaken his influence, to parade before 
the public real or imaginary faults. With most of the 
officers of the regular army, and it may be added, of the 
volunteer service, he probably sometimes indulged in 
stimulants. But he certainly was never a drunkard, and, 
when he found himself rising to serious responsibilities 
in the national cause, abandoned the use of them alto- 
gether. 

An incident occurred, after the victories of the Ten- 
nessee and Cumberland Rivers, in connection with this 
discussion of the great commander's habits, which occa- 
sioned much merriment among his friends in the South- 
west. The rumors that he would get intoxicated had 
moved the friends of the Illinois troops at home to send 
a delegation of gentlemen to confer with General Halleck 
respecting his removal. They accordingly waited upon 
the Chief of the Department, and gravely stated the ob- 
ject of their visit. 

" You see, General, we have a number of Illinois vol- 
unteers under General Grant, and it is not safe that their 
lives should be intrusted to the care of a man who so 
constantly indulges in intoxicating liquors. Who knows 
what blunders he may commit ?" 



100 LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

"Well, gentlemen," said General Halleck, "I am sat- 
isfied with General Grant, and I have no doubt yon also 
soon will be." 

While the deputation were staying at the hotel, the 
news arrived of the capture of Fort Donelson and thir- 
teen thousand prisoners. General Halleck posted the 
intelligence himself on the hotel-bulletin, and as he did 
so he remarked, loud enough for all to hear : 

"If General Grant is such a drunkard as he is re- 
ported to be, and can win such victories as these, I think 
it is my duty to issue an order that any man found sober 
in St. Louis to-night shall be punished with fine and im- 
prisonment." 

The people of St. Louis took the hint, and those whose 
temperance principles were easy, including members of 
the delegation, passed a festive night. Wrote a stall offi- 
ceiy about this time, to a friend in Xew York City : 

"I have seen it stated in the public prints that Gen- 
eral Grant is a drunkard. I have seen him in every 
phase of his military life, and I can assert that the accu- 
sation is false. I have been in the same tent with him 
at all hours of the day and night, and I never knew him 
to be under the influence of liquor, or any thing even 
approaching to it. I do not know what Ms former life 
may have been, but I do know that now he is a temper- 
ate man." 

There was another reason for attacks upon distin- 
guished generals, which should here be stated. It was. 
disappointment of ambitious or mercenary designs. 

General Grant was approached by reporters of the 
press, to secure a place, and the compensation of it, on 
his staff. Generals Halleck, Sherman, and C. F. Smith 
agreed with him that no Government funds should be 
applied to such a purpose. The ' ' cut ' ' made a wound, 
whose irritation was aimed at the offenders. General 
Sherman was called crazy, and General Smith a traitor. 
It was only at the special request of General Grant that 
the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of Gen- 
eral Smith, and he was able to retain General Sherman ; 
he assuring the Government that both were true men. 



GENERAL GRANT'S NEW COMMAND. 



101 



To the same source may be traced repeated attempts to 
destroy the rising reputation of General Grant. 

The operations of the early part of February, 1862, 
had brought him and his army into the State of Tennessee ; 
and to enable him to act with promptitude and success 
it became necessary to increase his line of operations. 
Therefore, on the 14th day of February, General Halleck 
issued an order creating the new district of West Ten- 
nessee, to embrace all the country between the Tennessee 
and Mississippi rivers, to the Mississippi State line, and 
Cairo, making the head-quarters temporarily at Fort 
Donelson, or wherever the general might be. 

The first order issued by General Grant, after the 
assumption of the command of that district, was a con- 
gratulatory order to his troops on their late victory : — 

Head-Quaetees, District of "West Tennessee, I 
Poet Donelson, Febrtoary IT, 1S62. I 

The general commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the 
troops of this command for the triumph over rebellion, gained by their 
valor, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instants. 

For four successive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement 
weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in large force, in a 
position chosen by himself. Though strongly fortified by nature, all the 
additional safeguards suggested by science were added. Without a mur- 
mur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and, with 
continuous skirmishing by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy 
to surrender without conditions. 

The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in 
breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners 
of war ever taken in any battle on this continent. 

Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the map of our 
United Country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the 
memory of a grateful people. 

By order, 

U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General Commanding. 

General Grant never paused to enjoy congratulations 
or fruits of victory, but followed promptly every advan- 
tage gained over the enemy. West Tennessee was evi- 
dently within his grasp. 

Although one of the principal objects of the campaign 
— the reopening of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers 
— had been accomplished, he did not allow his forces to 



102 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



remain long idle. After Fort Donelson had "been reduced, 
the gunboats, under Commodore Foote, were pushed 
up the Cumberland River, while, at the same time, a 
co-operating land force, under General C. F. Smith, con- 
sisting of a division of General Grant's army, marched 
along the western bank. On the 20th of February, the 
town of Clarksville was taken, without a fight ; and at 
this depot were found supplies enough for subsisting 
General Grant' s army for twenty days. The place was at 
once garrisoned and held, while the gunboats moved still 
farther up the river, to open the way for the army of the 
Ohio to occupy Nashville. 

The Union army had by this time advanced some 
distance into the territory of the rebels ; and it became 
necessary, to protect the morale as well as the persons 
of those composing that army, that a most rigid discipline 
should be exacted, and searching law imposed upon all, 
both friend and foe. General Grant appended to his army 
orders of February 22d the following : — 

Head-Quarters, District of West Tennessee, \ 
Fort Donelson, Tenn., Feb. 22, 1862. ) 

Tennessee, by her rebellion, having ignored all laws of the United 
States, no courts will be allowed to act under State authority ; but all 
cases coming within the reach of the military arm will be adjudicated by 
the authorities the Government has established within the State. 

Martial law is, therefore, declared to extend over West Tennessee. 
Whenever a sufficient number of citizens return to their allegiance to 
maintain law and order over the territory, the military restriction here 
indicated will be removed. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Gkastt. 

In addition to the above, General Grant also had 
another order, from the head of the department, read at 
dress parade : — 

Head-Quarters, District of West Tennessee, | 
February, 1862. » 

The following order from the commander of the department is pub- 
lished for the information of this command : 

Head-Quarters, Department of Missouri, ) 
St. Louis, February 23. > 

The major-general commanding this department desires to impress 
upon all officers the importance of preserving good order and discipline 
among these troops and the armies of the West, during their advance into 
Tennessee and the Southern States. 



GENERAL HALLECK'S ORDER OF MARCH. 



103 



Let us show to our fellow-citizens of these States, that we come 
merely to crush out this rebellion, and to restore to them peace and the 
benefits of the Constitution and the Union, of which they have been 
deprived by selfish and unprincipled leaders. They have been told that 
we come to oppress and plunder. By our acts we will undeceive them. 
"We will prove to them that we come to restore, not violate, the Consti- 
tution and the laws. In restoring to them the glorious flag of the Union, 
we will assure them that they shall enjoy, under its folds, the same pro- 
tection of life and property as in former days. 

Soldiers ! Let no excesses on your part tarnish the glory of our arms ! 
The orders heretofore issued from this department in regard to pillaging, 
marauding, and the destruction of private property, and the stealing and 
concealment of slaves, must be strictly enforced. It does not belong to 
the military to decide upon the relation of master and slave. Such ques- 
tions must be settled by the civil courts. ~Ro fugitive slave will, therefore, 
be admitted within our lines or camps, except when especially ordered by 
the general commanding. "Women and children, merchants, farmers, and 
all persons not in arms, are to be regarded as non-combatants, and are not 
to be molested, either in their persons or property. If, however, they 
assist and aid the enemy, they become belligerents, and will be treated as 
such. As they violate the laws of war, they will be made to suffer the 
penalties of such violation. 

Military stores and public property of the enemy must be surrendered ; 
and any attempt to conceal such property, by fraudulent transfer or other- 
wise, will be punished. But no private property will be touched, unless by 
order of the general commanding. 

Whenever it becomes necessary, forced contributions for supplies and 
subsistence for our troops will be made. Such levies will be made as light 
as possible, and be so distributed as to produce no distress among the 
people. All property so taken must be receipted fully and accepted for as 
heretofore directed. 

. These orders will be read at the head of every regiment, and all officers 
are commanded strictly to enforce them. 

By command of Major-General Halleck. 

Major-General U. S. Grant. 

Although strict martial law was to be exacted, and 
every effort made to crush the rebellion, still non-com- 
batants were to be respected in their persons and property. 

When, upon the evacuation of Nashville, our troops 
under General Buell occupied the city, a rebel officer sig- 
nificantly remarked to him : — 

"We can leave our homes, and General Buell will 
protect our slave property more vigilantly than we can do 
it ourselves." 



104 LIFE A^ T D CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GKA3TF. 



On the 23d of February, General Grant accompanied 
Admiral Foote up the river to Nashville. It was a 
strikingly beautiful interlude to the sanguinary scenes 
of conflict. The brightening verdure along the banks, 
the fragrant flowers, and the music of birds must have 
refreshed the stern warriors who ever acted with the 
perfect harmony of great and magnanimous minds. 

No rebels in Nashville were more insulting in their 
conduct to our troops than females. They became too 
outrageous for even the patience of General Buell. Pass- 
ing by a palatial residence, the fair and proud owner 
waved a secession flag, and shouted: — " Hurrah for Jeff 
Davis and the Southern Confederacy!" Reining up his 
steed, and touching his hat, he calmly said: "An excel- 
lent house for a hospital !" Before the evening darkened 
about it, the ambulances bore their melancholy burdens 
to its doors. 

General Grant called on Mrs. James K. Polk, the 
widow of the former President, under whose administra- 
tion was opened the Mexican war, and the cadet com- 
menced his military career. He little dreamed, then, he 
should ever call upon the widow, a rebel in a conquered 
city. 

The interview was cold and formal. She merely ex- 
pressed the hope that her husband' s tomb would be the 
protection of her home and property. The United States, 
which so elevated her before almost unknown husband, 
she despised. 

After Nashville had been occupied, the gunboats were 
taken down the Cumberland Eiver for further operations ; 
and, among others, a reconnoissance was made up the 
Tennessee, Eiver, as far as the northern State lines of 
Mississippi and Alabama. It was ascertained by the 
officers of the fleet, that along the banks of this river the 
Union feeling was strongly manifested, and that the 
gunboats were welcomed with enthusiasm. It was also 
discovered that no large rebel force was concentrated 
near the river itself, and that a base of operations might 
be established near the borders of the southern Tennessee 
State line. General Grant, therefore, removed his head- 



THE POSTURE OF AFFAIRS— REBEL VIEWS, 105 



quarters to Fori Henry, on the Tennessee River, where he 
fitted out his expedition for operations at a distance of 
about one hundred miles further up that stream. 

About this time, another very strong effort was made, 
by General Grant' s detractors, to get Mm removed, and it 
was even reported, while the unjust suspicion was under 
investigation, that he had been deprived of his command. 
General G. F. Smith had been placed in command of the 
troops in the field, and General Grant was still at Fort 
Henry, organizing and fitting out the forces with which he 
was about to operate. The advance troops were sent by 
transports up the Tennessee River, to Savannah, Tennes- 
see, and while en route, and even after disembarking, 
General Smith held the command until the arrival of Gen- 
eral Grant at that place. 

The Florence (Alabama) Gazette, of March 12, 1862, had 
the following very significant article : — 

"We learned yesterday that the Unionists had landed 
a very large force at Savannah, Tennessee. We suppose 
they are making preparations to get possession of the 
Memphis and Charleston Railroad. They must never be 
allowed to get this great thoroughfare in their possession, 
for then we would indeed be crippled. The labor and 
untiring industry of too many faithful and energetic men 
have been expended on this road to bring it up to its 
present state of usefulness, to let it fall into the hands of 
the enemy, to be used against us. It must be protected. 
We, as a people, are able to protect and save it. If 
unavoidable, let them have our river ; but we hope it is 
the united sentiment of our people, that we will have our 
railroad." 

On the llth of March, 1862, General Grant, while at 
Fort Henry, was presented with a handsome sword, by 
the regimental commanding officers. The handle of the 
sword was made of ivory, mounted with gold, and the 
blade was of the finest tempered steel. Two scabbards 
were attached to the sword, the service one being of fine 
gilt, while the parade scabbard was of rich gilt, mounted 
at the band. The sword was. inclosed in a fine rosewood 
case, and accompanied by a suitable sash and belt. The 



106 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT, 
inscription on the sword was very simple, toeing mere- 

iy=- 

" Presented to General U. S. Grant, "by G. W. Graliam, 
C. B. Lagow, C. C. Marsh, and John Cook, 1862." 

While the Tennessee programme of operations was 
thus carried out, General Grant was not unmindful of the 
fact that he had hostile forces scattered about at posts 
nearer home. He sent expeditions and reconnoitring par- 
ties in all directions ; and, on the 12th of March, 1862, he 
attacked with artillery and cavalry the enemy's works at 
a point a mile and a half west of Paris, and commanding 
the various roads leading to that place. The rebels were 
driven out, with a loss of about one hundred killed, wound- 
ed, and prisoners, and the Union forces occupied the works. 

With the tendency of the movements of the different 
armies of the West toward the mouth of the Mississippi 
River and the Gulf, it became necessary that one chief 
should have the direction of the whole, to make the 
combinations at the proper time. Therefore, a new de- 
partment was created, to be known as the "Department 
of the Mississippi," which embraced all the country west 
of a line drawn north and south through Knoxville, as far 
as Kansas and the Indian Territory, and running north to 
the lakes. Of this large department, General Grant com- 
manded a very important district. 

The fall of Donelson had startled the entire Confed- 
eracy, as the cannonading of Sumter did the North ; and 
General Beauregard addressed himself to the work of 
mustering an irresistible army, with which to roll back- 
ward the advancing columns of the Army of Freedom. 
The rebels began concentrating a large force in the South- 
west, under General Albert Sydney Johnston. General 
P. G. T. Beauregard commanded the troops which con- 
stituted the rebel army of the valley of the Mississippi. 
The head-quarters of this army were located at Corinth, 
Mississippi, with the intention of holding the line of the 
Memphis and Charleston Railroad ; of preventing any 
advance of the Union forces below the line of the Ten- 
nessee River ; and also to have a force ready to move into 
Kentucky and across the Ohio River, if an opportunity 



THE MOVEMENTS TOWARD CORINTH. 107 



should offer. The Mississippi River was also "blockaded 
by fortified positions, at Island No. 10, and other points 
above Memphis, and at Yicksburg, New Orleans, &c., 
below that city. It was consequently thought by the 
rebels, that Corinth could not be attacked by the way of 
the Mississippi, and they determined to mass their forces 
to resist the advance of Grant' s army from the Tennessee 
River. 

As the remainder of the troops under General Grant 
passed up the river, they encamped at Savannah and 
Pittsburg Landing, about twenty miles from Corinth. 

On the 15th of March, 1862, the troops belonging to 
the Third Division of Grant's army advanced from Sa- 
vannah, Tennessee, into McNairy County, and struck 
the line of the Jackson and Corinth Railroad, at Pur- 
dy, where they burned the railroad bridge, and tore up 
the track for a long distance. This movement prevented 
a train, heavily laden with rebel troops, from passing 
over that line from Jackson, the cars arriving shortly 
after the bridge was destroyed. As the rebels held the 
road between Jackson and Grand Junction, thence to 
Corinth, the concentration of the rebel army was not pre- 
vented, but only delayed, by the destruction of this part 
of the line. 

Never before, and perhaps not since, did the South 
summon with so much pride and confidence the flower 
of her army to overwhelm the " Yankee invaders." From 
Pensacola, under Bragg, from Mobile, where the troops 
had gone to dispute the landing of Butler, and other 
points, came the chivalry, and their poor whites, to swell 
the ranks. General Bishop Polk hastened forward divi- 
sions from Columbus ; Johnson retraced his retreating 
steps to augment the Confederate force. 

The rebel troops which had concentrated at Corinth, 
about the 1st of April, 1862, were supposed to number, 
at least, forty -five thousand men, under General A. S. 
Johnston, commanding department ; General P. G. T. 
Beauregard, commanding army at Corinth ; and Generals 
Bragg, Hardee, Breckinridge, and Polk, in command of 
divisions. It was also expected, by General Johnston, 



108 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



that the forces under Generals Yan Dorn and Price would 
have reached them within a few days, swelling his number 
to at least seventy thousand. 

General Grant' s forces had, by this time, been nearly 
all brought together at Pittsburg Landing, Savannah, 
and otiier places within reach— the cavalry pickets oc- 
cupying the outposts of the army. 

General Buell, who had been pursuing Johnston 
through Nashville, was leisurely marching across the 
country to join General Grant. 

"Corinth must be defended," declared the papers of 
Memphis. And the Governor of Tennessee, by a flaming 
proclamation, called for enlistments : — 

" As Governor of your State, and commander-in-chief 
of its army, I call upon every able-bodied man of the 
State, without regard to age, to enlist in its service. I 
command him who can obtain a weapon to march with 
our armies. I ask him who can repair or forge an arm 
to make it ready at once for the soldier." 

The rebel generals had the railroads, by which they 
could rapidly concentrate their troops, and they deter- 
mined to attack General Grant at Pittsburg, with their 
superior force, before General Buell could join him. 
Beauregard had his pickets within four miles of the Union 
forces, and he could move his entire army within striking 
distance before General Grant would know of his danger. 
He calculated that he could annihilate General Grant, 
drive him into the river, or force him to surrender, cap- 
ture all his cannon, wagons, ammunition, provisions, 
steamboats— every thing — by a sudden stroke. If he suc- 
ceeded, he could then move against General Buell, destroy 
his army, and not only recover all that had been lost, but 
he would also redeem Kentucky and invade Ohio, Indiana, 
and Illinois. 

All but one division of General Grant' s army was at 
Pittsburg. Two miles above the Landing, the river be- 
gins to make its great eastern bend. Lick Creek comes 
in from the west, at the bend. Three miles below Pitts- 
burg is Snake Creek, which also comes in from the west. 
Five miles farther down is Crump's Landing. General 



THE ARMY AT PITTSBURG LANDING. 



109 



Lewis Wallace's division was near Crump's, but the 
other divisions were "between the two creeks. The banks 
of the river are seventy-five feet high, and the country 
is a succession of wooded hills, with numerous ravines. 
There are a few clearings and farm-houses, but it is nearly 
all forest — tall oak-trees, with here and there thickets of 
underbrush. 

From the Landing at Pittsburg, which is the nearest 
point to Corinth on the Tennessee, the road runs beside 
a ravine in a southwesterly direction, passing, a mile 
distant, a log-house, where another road branches off to 
the left, leading to Hamburg, and a third to the right, 
which goes to Shiloh Church, two miles further, in the 
direction of Corinth. This primitive sanctuary is a dilap- 
idated log-building, without ceiling or windows — a fair 
type of the legitimate effect, upon Church and State, of 
American slavery. 

A great advantage would be secured to the rebel army 
if the attack upon Grant could be made before General 
Buell reached him. The hostile force would not only out- 
number ours by fifteen thousand men, but General Yan 
Born was expected from Arkansas with thirty thousand 
more. But his arrival was delayed, which hastened the 
movement against Grant to get the start of Buell, who, 
Johnston learned on the first of April, was within two or 
three days' march of Savannah. The orders to advance 
were hailed with wildest joy by the rebel columns, who 
were assured by their commanders that it would be but a 
holiday pastime to overwhelm and rout the adversary. 
The march of eighteen miles was commenced on Thursday, 
and, hindered by a storm Friday night, the position of 
attack was not gained till Saturday afternoon. Prepara- 
tions were immediately made for the onset on Sabbath 
morning. Along the Union lines there was no dream of 
the impending danger ; no thought of meeting the foe this 
side of Corinth, where General Halleck, Chief of the De- 
partment, was to take the command. A skirmish on the 
evening of Friday was regarded as a mere reconnoissance 
by the enemy. 

The position of affairs Saturday night was unlike any 



110 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



other in the progress of the war. There was certainly the 
appearance of vigilance in our army. Bnt the divisions 
were scattered ; the commanding general was at Savannah, 
ten miles from the threatened point, and Buell twenty 
miles away. Kebel sympathizers in the region had thor- 
oughly posted the enemy, whose superior force had, it 
would seem, every possible advantage. And it must be 
recollected that nothing excepting the picket firing and 
light skirmishing changed at all the force of the many con- 
siderations which pointed to Corinth, the enemy' s strong- 
hold, as the battle-field. 

General Grant personally reconnoitered, to discover if 
there were any indications that the rebels had advanced. 

The rebel leader — the late candidate for Vice-President 
of the United States — addressed the soldiers with great 
earnestness and sensational eloquence : — 

SOLDIEES OF THE AEMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI: 

I have put you in motion to oner battle to the invaders of your coun- 
try, with the resolution and discipline and valor becoming men, fighting, 
as you are, for all worth living or dying for. You can but march to a 
decisive victory over agrarian mercenaries, sent to subjugate and despoil 
you of your liberties, property, and honor. 

Remember the precious stake involved ; remember the dependence of 
your mothers, your wives, your sisters, and your children, on the result. 
Remember the fair, broad, abounding lands, the happy homes, that will be 
desolated by your defeat. The eyes and hopes of eight million people rest 
upon you. You are expected to show yourselves worthy of your valor 
and courage, worthy of the women of the South, whose noble devotion 
in this war has never been exceeded in any time. With such incentives 
to brave deeds, and with trust that God is with us, your general will lead 
you confidently to the combat, assured of success. 

General A. S. Johnston, Commanding. 

The rebel army of the Mississippi was divided into 
three army corps, and was commanded as follows : — 

Commanding-General, General Albert Sydney John- 
ston. 

Second in Command, General P. G. T. Beauregard. 
First Army Corps, Lieutenant- General L. Polk. 
Second Army Corps, Lieutenant - General Braxton 
Bragg. 

Third Army Corps, Lieutenant- General W. J. Hardee. 



THE ARMY CORPS OF THE HOSTILE FORCES. 



Ill 



Reserves, Major-G-eneral G. B. Crittenden. 

Against this force, Major- General Grant had but a 
small army in comparison, consisting of fiye divisions. 
The organization of this army was as follows : — 

Commanding-General, Major-General U. S. Grant. 

First Division, Major- General J. A. McClernand. 

Second Division, Brigadier- General W. H. L. Wallace. 

Third Division, Major- General Lewis Wallace. 

Fourth Division, Brigadier- General S. A. Hurlburt. 

Fifth Division, Brigadier-General W. T. Sherman. 

General Johnston' s plan of battle was to fall, with his 
entire force, upon the columns of Prentiss and Sherman. 
With their small fires deep in the ground, and whispered 
signals, that no tidings of their proximity might meet the 
Union lines, they partook of their Saturday evening re- 
past, and laid down to dream of conquest and Yankee 
luxuries in the morning. Apart from the sleeping sol- 
diery around General Johnston' s bivouac-fire, was held a 
council of war, of which an aid-de-camp of General Breck- 
inridge, who had been impressed into the rebel service, 
has published an account : — 

" In an open space, with a dim fire in the midst, and a 
drum on which to write, you could see grouped around 
their 'Little Napoleon,' as Beauregard was sometimes 
fondly called, ten or twelve generals, the flickering light 
playing over their eager faces, while they listened to 
his plans, and made suggestions as to the conduct of the 
fight. 

"Beauregard soon warmed with his subject, and, 
throwing off his cloak, to give free play to his arms, he 
walked about the group, gesticulating rapidly, and jerk- 
ing out his sentences with a strong French accent. All 
listened attentively, and the dim light, just revealing 
their countenances, showed their different emotions of 
confidence or distrust of his plans. 

" General Sydney Johnston stood apart from the rest, 
with his tall, straight form standing out like a spectre 
against the dim sky, and the illusion was fully sustained 
by the light-gray military cloak which he folded around 
him. His face was pale, but wore a determined expres- 



112 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



sion, and at times lie drew nearer the centre of the ring, 
and said a few words, which were listened to with great 
attention. It may be he had some foreboding of the fate 
he was to meet on the morrow, for he did not seem to take 
much part in the discussion. 

" General Breckinridge lay stretched out on a blanket 
near the fire, and occasionally sat upright, and added a 
few words of counsel. General Bragg spoke frequently, 
and with earnestness. General Polk sat on a camp-stool 
at the outside of the circle, and held his head between his 
hands, buried in thought. Others reclined or sat in va- 
rious positions. 

" For two hours the council lasted, and as it broke up, 
and the generals were ready to return to their respective 
commands, I heard General Beauregard say, raising his 
hand and pointing in the direction of the Federal camp, 
whose drums we could plainly hear, 'Gentlemen, we 
sleep in the enemy's camp to-morrow night.' " 

The beautiful Sabbath morning came with vernal 
beauty and fragrance, in strange contrast w T ith the terrible 
scenes which would make it forever memorable in the 
world' s history. Soon after two o' clock the rebel army 
quietly dispatched their breakfast, and by the hour of 
three stood in marching order, with only their arms, that 
they might move with the greater celerity through the 
woods. 

The Union troops were still enjoying their night's 
repose. The whole aspect of the camp was that of 
assured security ; a few early risers alone were astir, 
looking after the patient animals, and rekindling the 
dying fires. General Prentiss had increased the number 
of pickets, because of the reported presence of rebel 
cavalry near. In addition to this precaution, he sent 
Colonel Moore, with a part of the Twenty-first Missouri, 
to the front. He was met by the rebel skirmishers at the 
picket line, where the firing commenced. Though in the 
forest twilight every thing was indistinct, the rebel force 
was evidently large, and Colonel Moore sent for the rest 
of his regiment. General Prentiss immediately formed 
his several regiments into two brigades, and sent a mes- 



THE SURPRISE AND BATTLE AT SHILOH. 



113 



senger to Generals Hurlburt and Wallace, in his rear 
toward the landing, with tidings of the attack. There 
was no haste in the camp to prepare for battle, because 
it was believed the alarm arose from the discharge of their 
guns by the returning pickets, who were accustomed to 
such daily exercise at target-shooting. Soon the Twenty- 
first Missouri came hurrying back from the front, report- 
ing the advance of the rebel army. It marched in four 
lines, the third corps in front, led by Hardee ; the Second 
Corps following under Bragg ; the first corps next, com- 
manded by Polk ; and behind these, Breckinridge with 
the reserves. 

JNTever, perhaps, was there a more sudden and intense 
excitement throughout a great army than that which 
spread over the Union camp. Amid the confusion, 
General Gladden' s Brigade of Bragg' s Corps poured in a 
murderous fire, killing soldiers still lying in their tents. 

General Prentiss formed and encouraged his troops, 
determined to stem the advancing tide. And now Hardee 
brought his brigades between Prentiss and Sherman, 
flanking each by the adroit movement, determined to 
separate the former from the river. Regiments began to 
break, and the rebels, encouraged with their well-known 
and terrific shout, pressed forward. ''Don't give way! 
Stand firm! Drive them back with the bayonet! 1 ' were 
the cool, ringing orders of Colonel Peabody, whose brave 
Missourians stood unmoved in the shock of battle. Just 
then, while General Gladden was shouting, "On! on! 
forward, boys !" a cannon-ball struck him, and he dropped 
from his horse. 

The nearly surrounded regiments of General Prentiss 
were compelled to give way ; the gallant Peabody falling 
before a rebel bullet. 

General Hurlburt was met by them, but advanced with 
steady and rapid step. 

The jubilant victors, wild with rum and premature 
joy, pillaged Prentiss's camp and robbed the prisoners 
taken. 

But where, during this progress of the surprise, had 
been General Grant 2 He had ordered a signal-gun to be 

8 



114 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



fired if an attack occurred, and when its startling roar 
reached his ear, he instantly ordered his horses and also 
the train to be ready. At the same moment he sent a 
messenger to General Buell, ten miles away, to hasten his 
march to the scene of conflict ; and in one hour and a 
quarter he was at the head of the army, breasting the wild 
tumult of panic and invasion. 

We turn to another part of the field, and find the noble 
Sherman bringing order out of the chaos around him. 
The sun had risen when his frightened pickets came in 
with their alarming reports. "There was hurrying to and 
fro" after sabres, guns, and the various appliances of war. 
Fortunately General Hardee, instead of advancing with a 
charge upon the unprepared troops, halted to open his 
batteries. They formed in order of battle. 

"When the alarm was given, General Sherman was 
instantly on his horse. He sent a request to McClernand 
to support Hildebrand. He also sent word to Prentiss 
that the enemy were in front, but Prentiss had already 
made the discovery, and was contending with all his 
might against the avalanche rolling upon him from the 
ridge south of his position. He sent word to Hurlburt 
that a force was needed in the gap between the church 
and Prentiss. He was everywhere present, dashing 
along his lines, paying no attention to constant fire aimed 
at him and his staff by the rebel skirmishers, within 
short musket range. They saw him, knew that he was 
an officer of high rank, saw that he was bringing order 
out of confusion, and tried to pick him off. While gal- 
loping down to Hildebrand, his orderly, Halliday, was 
killed." 

And thus the battle raged with increasing fury, cover- 
ing the entire field of the late quiet encampment with the 
roar, fire, and smoke of the severest battle thus far of the 
war. Major Taylor's and Barrett's batteries made fright- 
ful havoc with the enemy, and yielded their position 
when it was no longer possible to hold it. At length 
Sherman could no longer hold his camp, and fell back of 
McClernand. And again the rebels reveled with yells 
of delight upon the rations of the deserted camp, and 



THE PROGRESS OF THE CONFLICT. 



115 



dressed themselves in the Federal uniform. While these 
scenes of carnage and disaster to the Union cause were 
transpiring around Shiloh Church, the prospect was no 
brighter between it and the Tennessee. The men of 
Meyer' s Battery, who had never heard a shell, ran when 
its first shriek rent the air overhead. 

General Johnston had made the clear gain of a mile, 
crushing in our front on every hand. When the sun was 
sinking toward the west, the hurrahs of treason over the 
expected triumph seemed to drown the fearful sounds of 
the conflict. General Wallace, the very incarnation of 
heroism, maintained his ground from eleven till four 
o'clock, his men repeating the deeds of valor which cov- 
ered them with glory at Fort Donelson. 

General Breckinridge had brought up his reserves near 
the river, and before Stuart's Brigade. Riding up to 
General Johnston, who was upon the hills, surrounded 
by his staff, and survejdng the field, Johnston said to 
him : — "I will lead your men into the fight to-day, for I 
intend to show these Kentuckians and Tennesseeans that I 
am no coward," referring to the suspicion created by his 
abandonment of Nashville. Breckinridge moved against 
Hurlburt, but was repulsed. He sent to Johnston for 
instructions. As the aid rode up, a shell exploded over- 
head, and one of its fragments entered the Commander's 
thigh, cutting an artery from which he bled to death in a 
few hours. The disheartening blow was kept a secret 
from the Union troops by the order of General Beaure- 
gard. Soon after, General Wallace received a mortal 
wound, and his discouraged division followed his bleed- 
ing body to the rear. General Prentiss was surrounded 
and taken prisoner. 

A passage from General Bragg' s report will indicate 
the rebel view of the fortunes of the day, as that Sabbath- 
day' s sun went down: "The enemy were driven head- 
long from every position, and thrown in confused masses 
upon the river-bank, behind his heavy artillery, and un- 
der cover of his gunboats at the Landing. He had left 
nearly all his light artillery in our hands, and some three 
thousand or more prisoners, who were cut off in their 



116 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



retreat by the closing in of our troops on the left, under 
Major-General Polk, with a portion of his reserve corps, 
and Brigadier- General Ruggles, with Anderson's and 
Pond's brigades of his division." 

In the midst of this disaster — the shattered army forced 
backward toward the Landing, where panic-smitten fugi- 
tives crowd the transports — General Grant is calm, and 
confident of final success. He says, in his quiet way, 
"We shall hold them yet." An officer of the gunboat 
Tyler approaches, and suggests that the silent leviathans 
on the tranquil river have now a chance to harm the 
enemy. He returns with the brief message: "Tell Cap- 
tain Gwin to use his own discretion." 

The impatient men of the Tyler and Lexington, with 
a bound, hasten to the guns and open their thunder. 

On the banks of a ravine running northwest from the 
Landing was a battery, which, for want of men to work 
it, had been useless. The favoring moment urged the call 
for volunteers, and, led by Dr. Corwyn, Surgeon of the 
First Missouri Artillery, they soon send a tempest of shot 
and shell along the gorge. McAllister, Stone, Walker, 
and Silversparre, and, nearer the church, Richardson, 
Powell, Edwards, Taylor, Willard, Mann, Dresser, and 
Ross, had Parrots and howitzers ready to join in the can- 
nonade of this decisive day — a day Avhich would either 
give Tennessee to the rebels, and win foreign recognition 
of the Confederacy, or check the invaders till re-enforce- 
ments arrive. 

The canteens left by the rebels on the battle-field 
showed that numbers of them were infuriated with whis- 
ky, in which was dissolved gunpowder ; and they shouted 
wildly with every advantage gained, "Bull Run! Bull 
Run !" And whenever our troops made an impression on 
the hostile front, the shout rang back, "Fort Donelson! 
Fort Donelson !" 

The columns of Beauregard boldly advanced, but sud- 
denly met a wasting fire, and reeled before the unex- 
pected welcome of the patient, hopeful, and determined 
Grant. In vain he shouted, "Forward, boys, and drive 
them into the Tennessee!" The horrible carnage mowed 



GENERAL BUELL'S EE-ENFORCEMENTS. 



117 



down the ranks in the ravine, till the living could no 
longer endure the hopeless slaughter. 

And thus, by the hour, destruction rode upon the 
awful storm of batteries protected by and acting in con- 
cert with the boats. Said Colonel Fagan, of an Arkansas 
brigade : — 

" Three different times did we go into the 4 Valley of 
Death,' and as often were forced back by overwhelming 
numbers, intrenched in a strong position. That all was 
done that possibly could be done, the heaps of killed and 
wounded left there give ample evidence." 

Suddenly, there was a wild hurra on the highland near 
the river, which was caught up by the Union ranks, till its 
sound drowned the roar of the terrible and doubtful strife, 
and startled the rebel host, while it rekindled the fading 
eyes of our dying heroes. 

Eager watchers had suddenly discerned in the distance, 
on the opposite bank, rapidly marching troops, bearing the 
dear old banner of the Republic. The advance columns 
of Buell were now at last near ! It was four o' clock in the 
afternoon, when General Nelson, of Kentucky, command- 
ing the welcome re-enforcements, rode up to General Grant, 
who was in the fiercest storm of battle, and with his mar- 
tial salutation, pointing to his noble ranks of athletic, well- 
drilled men pouring on the transports to be ferried over 
the river, said exultingly : ' ' Here we are. We are not 
very military in our division. We don't know many fine 
points or nice evolutions ; but, if you want stupidity and 
hard fighting, I reckon we are the men for you." 

General Buell, who had reached General Grant's head- 
quarters, was depressed by the 'aspect of the battle-field, 
and saw little prospect of saving the fortunes of the 
day. 

He asked General Grant what preparations he had 
made for retreat in case of defeat. 

"Iam not going to be defeated," replied the iron man. 

" Such an event is possible," added Buell. ' " And it is 
the duty of a prudent general to provide for the contin- 
gency." 

General Grant pointed to the transports, quietly asking : 



118 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



" Don't von see those boats ?" 
*/ 

t ' Yes ; but they will not cany more than ten thousand, 
and we have thirty thousand." 

"Well, ten thousand are more than I intend to retreat 
with,'' replied General Grant. General Buell evidently 
anticipated defeat. 

That Sabbath's twilight curtained a Golgotha seldom 
known in war's dread havoc. Though the rebel chief did 
not finish the work anticipated, he had made good his 
promise of sleeping in Union camps, and paused, dripping 
with blood, to repeat on Monday the treasonable and 
deadly blows upon the hated Republic. 

General Grant was anxious ; but here he had held them 
at last. During the awful night of groans from the dying 
thousands, and shrieking of shells in the air, General Grant 
said to his officers: "We must not give the enemy the 
moral advantage of attacking to-morrow morning. We 
must fire the first gun." 

Monday' s sun had only streaked with herald-beams the 
east, when General Grant, strengthened by General Buell 
and his Army of the Ohio, ordered an attack. Beaure- 
gard, who anticipated a finishing onset upon his foe, was 
met by lSTelson, on whose front the gunboats had driven 
back the rebels. For an hour the doubtful struggle raged, 
till Mendenhairs Battery came up, and poured in the 
grape. Hazen also was ordered forward. 

"Into position there ! Lively, men !" shouts Captain 
Tirrell to his battery, flying from one thundering tube of 
flame to another. "Grape a*id cannister !" he said to the 
officers of the twelve-pounders ; and away he rode again 
to another post of peril. 

Crittenden, McCook, Bousseau, advanced. A little 
later, the general and final engagement opened. Then, 
what deeds of valor lent sanguinary glory to the awful 
plains of battle for a nation' s life ! The falling banner was 
seized before it touched the dust, from the hand of the 
slain. Colonel Ammen, the first in the broken lines from 
General Buell' s transports, husked corn and fed his noble 
steed in the tempest of shells. 

"The enemy knew," wrote an eye-witness, "that a 



THE DECISIVE HOURS OF CONFLICT. 



119 



defeat here would be the death-blow to their hopes, and 
that their all depended on this great struggle ; and their 
generals still urged them on in the face of destruction, hop- 
ing, by flanking us on the right, to turn the tide of battle. 
Their success was again, for a time, cheering, as they be- 
gan to gain ground on us, appearing to have been re- 
enforced ; but our left, under General Nelson, was driv- 
ing them, and with wonderful rapidity ; and, by eleven 
o'clock, General Buell's forces had succeeded in flanking 
them, and capturing their batteries of artillery. 

"They, however, again rallied on the left, and re- 
crossed ; and the right forced themselves forward in 
another desperate effort. But re-enforcements from Gen- 
eral Wood and General Thomas were coming in, regiment 
after regiment, which were sent to General Buell, who 
had again commenced to drive the enemy. 

"About three o'clock in the afternoon, General Grant 
rode to the left where the fresh regiments had been or- 
dered, and, finding the rebels wavering, sent a portion of 
his body-guard to the head of each of five regiments, and 
then ordered a charge across the field, himself leading ; 
and as he brandished his sword, and waved them on to the 
crowning victory, the cannon-balls were falling like hail 
around him. 

"The men followed with a shout that sounded above 
the roar and din of the artillery, and the rebels fled in dis- 
may as from a destroying avalanche, and never made 
another stand. 

" General Buell pursued the retreating rebels, driving 
them in splendid style, and, by half-past five o'clock, the 
whole rebel army was in full retreat to Corinth. 

"There has never been a parallel to the gallantry and 
bearing of our officers, from the commanding General to 
the lowest officer. 

" General Grant and staff were in the field, riding along 
the lines in the thickest of the enemy' s fire, during the en- 
tire two days of the battle ; and all slept on the ground 
Sunday night, during a heavy rain. On several occasions 
General Grant got within range of the enemy' s guns, and 
was discovered and fired upon. 



120 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



" Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson had his horse shot 
from under him when along side of General Grant. 

"Captain Carson was near General Grant when a can- 
non-ball took off his head, and killed and wounded several 
others. 

"General McClernand and General Hurlbut, each re- 
ceived bullet-holes through their clothes." 

And no better vindication of General Grant' s manage- 
ment of affairs at Pittsburg Landing can be offered, than 
the testimony of General Sherman, in his lengthy and able 
letter on the struggle ; in which he says : — 

"The battle-field was chosen by the lamented Major- 
General Charles F. Smith, and it was well chosen ; on any 
other the Union army would have been overwhelmed. 
General Grant was early on the field, and visited his (Sher- 
man' s) division in person about ten A. m., when the bat- 
tle was raging fiercest ; approved of his stubborn resist- 
ance to the enemy, and, in answer to his inquiry con- 
cerning cartridges, told him that he had anticipated their 
want, and given orders accordingly ; and, remarking that 
his presence was more needed over at the left, rode off to 
encourage the hardly-pressed ranks of McClernand' s and 
Hurlburt' s Divisions. ' ' 

General Sherman says further: "About five p.m., 
before the sun set, General Grant came again to me, and, 
after hearing my report of matters, explained to me the 
situation of affairs on the left, which were not so favor- 
able ; still, the enemy had failed to reach the landing of 
the boats. We agreed that the enemy had expended the 
furore of his attack, and we estimated our loss and ap- 
proximated our then strength, including Lew. Wallace's 
fresh division, expected each minute. He then ordered 
me to get all things ready, and, at daylight the next day, 
to assume the offensive. That was before General Buell 
had arrived, but he was near at hand. General Buell' s 
troops took no essential part in the first day's fight, and 
Grant' s army, though collected together hastily, green as 
militia, some regiments arriving without cartridges even, 
and nearly all hearing the dread sound of battle for the 
first time, had successfully withstood and repelled the 



GEKEKAL SHERMAN'S VIEW OF THE BATTLE. 121 



first day's terrific onset of a superior enemy, Avell com- 
manded and well handled. I know I had orders from 
General Grant to assume the offensive before I knew Gen- 
eral Buell was on the west side of the Tennessee. * * * 
I understood Grant' s forces were to advance on the right 
of the Corinth road, and Buell' s on the left (this was on 
the 7th), and, accordingly, at daylight I advanced my 
division by the flank, the resistance being trivial up to 
the very spot where the day before the battle had 
been most severe, and then waited till near noon for 
Buell' s troops to get up abreast, when the entire line ad- 
vanced and recovered all the ground we had ever held. 
I know- that, with the exception of one or two severe 
struggles, the fighting of April 7th was easy as compared 
with that of April 6th. I never was disposed, nor am 
now, to question any thing done by General Buell and his 
army, and know that, approaching our field of battle from 
the rear, he encountered that sickening crowd of laggards 
and fugitives that excited his contempt and that of his 
army, who never gave full credit to those in the front line 
who did fight hard, and who had, at four p. m., checked 
the enemy, and were preparing the next day to assume 
the offensive." 

The impressions made by the officers and scenes of the 
battle-days of Shiloh, recorded by Mr. A. D. Richardson, 
who was on the plains of death, are remarkably clear and 
just:— 

" Throughout the battle, Grant rode to and fro on the 
front, smoking his inevitable cigar, with his usual stolidity 
and good fortune. Horses and men were killed all around 
him, but he did not receive a scratch. On that wooded 
field it was impossible for any one to keep advised of the 
progress of the struggle. Grant gave orders, merely bid- 
ding his generals to do the best they could. 

' ' Sherman had many hair-breadth escapes. His bridle- 
rein was cut off by a bullet within two inches of his 
fingers. As he was leaning forward in the saddle, a ball 
whistled through the top and back of his hat. His metal- 
lic shoulder-strap warded off another bullet, and a third 
passed through the palm of his hand. Three horses were 



122 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



shot under him. He was the hero of the day. All award- 
ed to him the highest praise for skill and gallantry. He 
was promoted to a major-generalship, dating from the 
battle. His official report was a clear, vivid, and fasci- 
nating description of the conflict. 

4 'Five bullets penetrated the clothing of an officer on 
McClernand's staff, but did not break the skin. A ball 
knocked out two front teeth of a private in the Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, but did him no further injury. A 
rifle-shot passed through the head of a soldier in the First 
Missouri Artillery, coming out just above the ear, but did 
not prove fatal. Dr. Corwyn, of St. Louis, told me that 
he extracted a ball from the brain of one soldier, who, 
three days afterward, was on duty, with the bullet in his 
pocket. 

" Brigadier- General Thomas W. Sweeney, who had 
lost one arm in the Mexican War, received a Minie bullet 
in his remaining arm, and another shot in his foot, while 
his horse fell riddled with seven balls. Almost fainting 
from loss of blood, he was lifted upon another horse, and 
remained on the field through the entire day. His cool- 
ness and his marvelous escapes were talked of before 
many camp-fires throughout the army. 

' ' Once, during the battle, he was unable to determine 
whether a battery, whose men were dressed in blue, was 
rebel or Union. Sweeney, leaving his command, rode 
at a gentle gallop directly toward the battery, until with- 
in pistol-shot, saw that it was manned by Confederates, 
turned in a half-circle, and rode back again at the same 
easy pace. Not a single shot was fired at him, so much 
was the respect of the Confederates excited by this daring 
act. I afterward met one of them, who described, with 
great vividness, the impression which Sweeney 1 s gallantry 
made upon them. 

u The steady determination of Grant's troops during 
that long April Sunday was, perhaps, unequaled during 
the war. At night companies were commanded by ser- 
geants, regiments by lieutenants, and brigades by majors. 
In several regiments, one-half the men were killed and 
wounded ; and in some entire divisions the killed and 



THE FIELD OF CARNAGE AFTER BATTLE. 123 

wounded exceeded thirty-three per cent, of the numbers 
who went into battle. 

"I have seen no other field which gave indication of 
such deadly conflict as the Shiloh ridges and ravines, 
everywhere covered with a very thick growth of timber — 

' Shot-sown and blacled thick with steel.' 

In one tree I counted sixty bullet-holes ; another bore 
marks of more than ninety balls within ten feet of the 
ground. Sometimes, for several yards in the dense shrub- 
bery, it was difficult to find a twig as large as one's finger, 
which had not been cut off by balls. 

' ' A friend of mine counted one hundred and twenty- 
six dead rebels, lying where they fell, upon an area less 
than fifty yards wide and a quarter of a mile long. One 
of our details buried, in a single trench, one hundred and 
forty-seven of the enemy, including three lieutenant- 
colonels and four majors. 

"It was long after the battle of Shiloh before all the 
dead were buried. Many were interred in trenches, 
scores together. A friend, who was engaged in this 
revolting labor, told me that, after three or four days, he 
found himself counting off the bodies as indifferently as 
he would have measured cord-wood. 

"When the army began to creep forward, I messed at 
Grant's head- quarters, with his chief of staff ; and around 
the evening camp-fires I saw much of the General. He 
rarely uttered a word upon the political bearings of the 
war ; indeed, he said little upon any subject. With his 
eternal cigar, and his head thrown slightly to one side, 
for hours he would sit silently before the fire, or walk 
back and forth, with his eyes upon the ground, or look 
in upon our whist-table, now and then making a sugges- 
tion about the play. 

"Most of his pictures greatly idealize his full, rather 
heavy face. The journalists called him stirpid. One of 
my confreres used to say : — 

' ' 4 How profoundly surprised Mrs. Grant must have 
been when she woke up and learned that her husband 
was a great man !' 



124 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



4 'He impressed me as possessing great purity, integ- 
rity, and amiability, with excellent judgment, and bound- 
less pluck. But I should never nave suspected him of 
military genius. Indeed, nearly every man of whom, at 
the beginning of the war, I prophesied a great career, 
proved inefficient, and vice versa. 

" Military men seem to cherish more jealousies than 
members of any other profession, except physicians and 
artists. At almost every general head-quarters, one heard 
denunciations of rival commanders. Grant was above 
this ' mischievous, foul sin of chiding.' I never heard him 
speak unkindly of a brother officer. 

''Hooker once boasted that he had the best army on 
the planet. One would have declared that Grant com- 
manded the worst. There was little of that order, per- 
fect drill, or pride, pomp, and circumstance, seen among 
Buell's troops, and in the Army of the Potomac. But 
Grant's rough, rugged soldiers would fight wonderfully, 
and were not easily demoralized. If their line became 
broken, every man from behind a tree, rock, or stump, 
blazed away at the enemy on his own account. They did 
not throw up their hats at sight of their general, but were 
wont to remark, with a grim smile : — 

"'There goes the old man. He doesn't say much; 
but he's a pretty hard nut for Johnny Keb. to crack.' 

"Unlike Halleck, Grant did not pretend to familiarity 
with the details of military text-books. He could not 
move an army with that beautiful symmetry which 
McClellan displayed ; but his pontoons were always up, 
and his ammunition trains were never missing. 

"Though not occupied with details, he must have 
given them close attention ; for, while other command- 
ing generals had forty or fifty staff officers, brilliant 
with braid and buttons, Grant allowed himself but six or 
seven." 

Whatever the valor of such commanders as Sherman, 
McPherson, and Buell, with his re-enforcements, accom- 
plished for the country' s imperiled cause, the record of the 
struggle is clear, that General Grant rode through it all 
with cool, resolute heroism, never for an instant despairing 



INCIDENTS AND RESULTS OF THE CONTEST. 



125 



of success. He was slightly -wounded in the ankle, but 
able to remain on the field. 

While the South was jubilant over the report of 
victory, the chaplains of the noble army were leading 
thousands of devout soldiers in prayer and thanksgiving 
to God. 

An amusing incident made a singular interlude to the 
worship of one assembly. The chaplain was reading the 
lines, 

" Show pity, Lord ; O Lord, forgive ! 
Let a repenting rebel live," 

when a patriotic soldier, forgetting the exact meaning, 
exclaimed : — 

" No, sir ; not unless they lay down their arms, every 
one of them." 

Of the Union troops, one thousand six hundred and 
fourteen were slain, seven thousand seven hundred and 
twenty- one wounded, and three thousand nine hundred 
and sixty-three missing ; making the entire loss more than 
thirteen thousand men. The enemy' s loss was at least as 
great. Over twenty -five thousand husbands, fathers, and 
sons — killed, mangled, captured, and astray — is the cost of 
a single battle ! 

The tidings of victory created a great excitement among 
the citizens of New York, and during the day it was 
telegraphed to the National Capital and to other parts of 
the Union. The proprietor of the newspaper in which it 
was published telegraphed it immediately to the Presi- 
dent and to both Houses of Congress, in which it was 
read aloud. In the Lower House, Mr. Colfax, on asking- 
leave to read the dispatch, was greeted on all sides of the 
House witli cries of "To the Clerk's desk." The previous 
noise and excitement subsided, and as the House listened 
to the brief and pregnant details of the bloody struggle 
which preceded the glorious victory over the concentrated 
strength of rebeldom, all hearts were stilled, and the 
very breathing almost suppressed, till the last word of the 
dispatch was read. The rejoicing was great at the victory, 
though saddened at the price of blood with which it had 
been purchased. 



126 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The following extract from the official War Bulletin is 
complimentary to the commanding generals : — 

War Department, "Washington, *^£pril 9, 1S62. 
That the thanks of the Department are hereby given to Major-Generals 
Grant and Buell, and their forces, for the glorious repulse of Beauregard, 
at Pittsburg, in Tennessee. 

A salute of one hundred guns was fired at the National 
Capital ; and from every part of the North the responsive 
echoes of gratitude and joy were heard. 

It will be seen by the details of the struggle, that the 
first day the success seemed to be entirely on the side of 
the rebels, and on that ground, General Beauregard, who 
succeeded General Johnston, telegraphed to the rebel 
government as follows : — 

Corinth, Tuesday, April 8, 1S62. 

To the Secretary of War, Richmond: 

W T e have gained a great and glorious victory. Eight to ten thousand 
prisoners, and thirty-six pieces of cannon. Buell re-enforced Grant, and 
we retired, to our intrenchments at Corinth, which we can hold. Loss 
heavy on both sides. Beauregard. 

From the following correspondence, it does not appear 
that the rebels could have moved about at will, or had 
even the consolation of a victory : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of Mississippi, ) 
Monterey, April 8, 1S62. I 

Sir : — At the close of the conflict yesterday, my forces being exhausted 
by the extraordinary length of the time during which they were engaged 
with yours, on that and the preceding day, and it being apparent that 
you had received, and were still receiving, re-enforcements, I felt it my 
duty to withdraw my troops from the immediate scene of the conflict. 
Under these circumstances, in accordance with the usages of war, I shall 
transmit this under a flag of truce, to ask permission to send a mounted 
party to the battle-field of Shiloh, for the purpose of giving decent inter- 
ment to my dead. Certain gentlemen wishing to avail themselves of this 
opportunity to remove the remains of their sons and friends, I must request 
for them the privilege of accompanying the burial party ; and in tins con- 
nection, I deem it proper to say, I am asking what I have extended to your 
own countrymen under similar circumstances. 
Respectfully, General, your obedient servant, 

P. G. T. Beauregard, General Commanding. 

To Major-General U. S. Grant, Major-General, Commanding United 
States Forces, Pittsburg Landing. 



BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 



127 



Head-Quarters, Army in field, ) 
Pittsburg, April 9, 18G2. ) 

General P. G. T. Beauregard, Commanding Confederate Army on Mis- 
sissippi, Monterey, Tenn. : 
Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. Owing to the warmth of 
the weather, I deemed it advisable to have all the dead of both parties 
buried immediately. Heavy details were made for this purpose, and it is 
now accomplished. There cannot, therefore, be any necessity of admitting 
within our lines the parties you desired to send on the ground asked. I 
shall always be glad to extend any courtesy consistent with duty, and 
especially so when dictated by humanity. I am, General, respectfully, 
your. obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General Commanding. 

On the morning of April 8th, General Sherman, the 
commander of the Fifth Division, at the head of a cavalry 
force and two brigades of infantry, made a reconnoissance 
along the Corinth road, where he found the abandoned 
camps of the rebels lining the roads, with hospital flags for 
their protection. Shortly after he came upon the rebel 
cavalry, which, after a skirmish, was driven from the 
field. He then destroyed the rebel camp, including the 
ammunition intended for the rebels' guns. 

General Sherman found the* road to Corinth strewed 
with abandoned wagons, ambulances, and limber-boxes, 
and other indications of a hasty retreat. The enemy 
had succeeded in removing the guns ; but crippled his 
batteries by abandoning the limber-boxes of at least 
twenty pieces. The retreat of the enemy' s infantry was 
evidently a disorderly one, and, had not the cavalry been 
in great force to protect the rear, might soon have been 
turned into a disastrous rout. 

When the news of this battle reached St. Louis, Gen- 
eral Halleck, the commander of the department, determined 
to take to the field himself, and inquire into the real results 
of the "Battle of Shiloh." 

On his arrival at Pittsburg Landing, he issued the 
following order to the troops : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of the Mississippi, I 
Pittsburg, Tenn., April 13, 1862. » 

I. The major-general commanding this department thanks Major- 



128 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF. GENERAL GRANT. 



General Grant and Major-General Bnell, and the officers and men of their 
respective commands, for the bravery and endurance with which they 
sustained the general attacks of the enemy on the 6th, and for the heroic 
manner in which, on the 7th instant, they defeated and routed the entire 
rebel army. The soldiers of the great West have added new laurels to 
those which they have already won on numerous battle-fields. 

* ***** * 

III. Major-Generals Grant and Buell will retain the immediate com- 
mand of their respective armies in the field. 

By command of Major-General Halleok. 

Cavalry skirmishes still continued, at intervals, to take 
place along the outposts of the Union army ; but nothing 
important occurred until April 17, 1862, when the move- 
ment was made toward Corinth. 

The hero of Shiloh gave his story of the contest in 
these words : — 

Head-Quarters, District op "Western Tennessee, | 
Pittsburg, April 9, 1S62. > 

Captain N. H. McLean, Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of 
Mississippi, St. Louis : 
Captain : — It becomes my duty again to report another battle, 
fought by two great armies, one contending for the maintenance of the 
best government ever devised, and the other for its destruction. It 
is pleasant to record the success of the army contending for the former 
principle. - 

On Sunday morning our pickets were attacked and driven in by the 
enemy. Immediately the five divisions stationed at this place were drawn 
up in line of battle to meet them. 

The battle soon waxed warm on the left and centre, varying at times to 
all parts of the line. There was the most continuous firing of musketry 
and artillery ever heard on this continent kept up until nightfall. 

The enemy, having forced the entire line to fall back nearly half way 
from their camps to the Landing, at a late hour in the afternoon a des- 
perate effort was made by the enemy to turn our left and get possession of 
the Landing, transports, &c. 

This point was guarded by the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Captains 
Gwin and Shirk commanding, with four twenty-four-pounder Parrott 
guns, and a battery of rifled guns. 

As there is a deep and impassable ravine for artillery or cavalry, and 
very difficult for infantry, at this point, no troops were stationed here, ex- 
cept the necessary artillerists and a small infantry force for their support. 
Just at this moment the advance of Major-General BuelPs column and a 
part of the division of General Nelson arrived. The two generals named 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT OF THE BATTLE . 



129 



both being present, an advance was immediately made upon the point of 
attack, and the enemy was soon driven back. 

In this repulse much is due to the presence of the gunboats Tyler and 
Lexington, and their able commanders, Captains Gwin and Shirk. 

During the night, the divisions under Generals Crittenden and McCook 
arrived. 

General Lewis Wallace, at Camp Landing, six miles below, was ordered, 
at an early hour in the morning, to hold his division in readiness to 
move in any direction it might be ordered. At eleven o'clock the order 
was delivered to move it up to Pittsburg; but, owing to its being led 
by a circuitous route, it did not arrive in time to take part in Sunday's 
action. 

During the night all was quiet, and, feeling that great moral advantage 
would be gained by becoming the attacking party, an advance was ordered 
as soon as day dawned. The result was the gradual repulse of the enemy 
at all points of the line, from nine until probably five o'clock in the after- 
noon, when it became evident the enemy was retreating. 

Before the close of the action, the advance of General T. J. Wood's 
division arrived in time to take part in the action. 

My force was too much fatigued from two days' hard fighting, and ex- 
posure in the open air to a drenching rain during the intervening night, to 
pursue immediately. 

Night closed in cloudy, with a heavy rain, making the roads impractica- 
ble for artillery by the next morning. 

General Sherman, however, followed the enemy, finding that the main 
part of their army had retreated in good order. 

Hospitals, with the enemy's wounded, were found all along the road 
as far as pursuit was made. Dead bodies of the enemy, and many graves 
were also found. I enclose herewith a report of General Sherman, which 
will explain more fully the result of the pursuit and of the part taken by 
each separate command. 

I cannot take special notice in this report, but will do so more fully 
when the reports of the division commanders are handed in. 

General Buell, commanding in the field, with a distinct army long 
under his command, and which did such efficient service commanded by 
himself in person, on the field, will be much better able to notice those 
officers' commands, who particularly distinguished themselves, than I pos- 
sibly can. 

I feel it a duty, however, to a gallant and able officer, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral W. T. Sherman, to make a special mention. He not only was with 
his command during the entire two days of the action, but displayed 
great judgment and skill in the management of his men. Although 
severely wounded in the hand on the first day, his place was never 
vacant. He was again wounded, and had three horses killed under him. 
In making this mention of a gallant officer, no disparagement is intended 
to other division commanders or Major-Generals John A. McClernand and 
Lewis Wallace, and Brigadier-Generals S. A. Hurlbut, P. M. Prentiss, and 
9 



130 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



W. II. L. Wallace, all of whom maintained their places with credit to 
themselves and the cause. 

General Prentiss was taken prisoner on the first day's action, and 
General W. H. L. Wallace was severely and probably mortally wounded. 
His Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Wm. McMichael, is missing, and 
was probably taken prisoner. 

My personal stall are all deserving of particular mention, they having 
been engaged during the entire two days in carrying orders to every part 
of the field. It consists of Colonel J. D. Webster, Chief-of-Staff ; Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel J. B. McPherson, Chief of Engineers, assisted by Lieutenants 
W. L. B. Jenney, and William Kossac ; Captain J. A. Rawlins, Assistant 
Adjutant-General W. S. Hilger, W. R. Rawiey, and C. B. Lagow, Aids-de- 
Camp ; Colonel G. Pride, Volunteer Aid, and Captain J. P. Hawkins, Chief 
Commissary, who accompanied me upon the field. 

The Medical Department, under direction of Surgeon Hewitt, Medical 
Director, showed great energy in providing for the wounded, and in get- 
ting them from the field, regardless of danger. 

Colonel Webster was placed in special charge of all the artillery, and 
was constantly upon the field. He displayed, as always heretofore, both 
skill and bravery. At least, in one instance, he was the means of placing 
an entire regiment in position of doing most valuable service, and where it 
would not have been but for his exertions. 

Lieutenant-Colonel McPherson, attached to my staff as Chief of En- 
gineers, deserves more than a passing notice for his activity and courage. 
All the grounds beyond our camp, for miles, have been reconnoitred by 
him, and the plans, carefully prepared under his supervision, give the most 
accurate information of the nature of the approaches to our lines. During 
the two days' battle he was constantly in the saddle, leading the troops as 
they arrived, to points where their services were required. During the 
engagement he had one horse shot under him. 

The country will have to mourn the loss of many brave men who fell at 
the battle of Pittsburg, or Shiloh, more properly. 

The exact loss in killed and wounded will be known in a day or two. 
At present I can only give it approximately at fifteen hundred killed, and 
thirty-five hundred wounded. 

The loss of artillery was great, many pieces being disabled by the 
enemy's shots, and some losing all their horses and many men. There 
were, probably, not less than two hundred horses killed. 

The loss of the enemy, in killed and left upon the field, was greater 
than ours. In the wounded, an estimate cannot be made, as many of them 
must have been sent to Corinth and other points. 

The enemy suffered terribly from demoralization and desertion. 

A flag of truce was sent to-day from General Beauregard. 

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 



THE WOUNDED CHRISTIAN HERO. 



131 



We shall leave the field of Shiloh with a single scene 
after the shock of battle was over, illustrating the Chris- 
tian heroism, which was never, since men were arrayed 
against each other in arms, so conspicuous as in the war 
of our nation' s redemption. 

On Tuesday morning, among the wounded borne from 
the red field to the hospitals, was a brave and devout 
captain, fatally shot through both thighs with a bullet. 
He gave the following narrative of the long night, whose 
shades had just departed, and uncovered its horrors to the 
calm, sweet light : — 

4 4 While lying there, I suffered intense agony from 
thirst. I leaned my head upon my hand, and the rain 
from heaven was falling around me. In a little while a 
pool of water formed under my elbow, and I thought, if I 
could only get to that puddle, I might quench the burning 
thirst. I tried to get into a position to suck up a mouth- 
ful of muddy water, but was unable to reach within a foot 
of it. I never felt so much the loss of any earthly bless- 
ing. By and by, night fell, and the stars shone out clear 
and beautiful above the dark field, and I began to think 
of that great God who had given His Son to die a death of 
agony for me, and that he was up there — up above the 
scene of suffering, and above these glorious stars ; and I 
felt that I was going home to meet Him, and praise Him 
there ; and I felt that I ought to praise God, even wound- 
ed and on the battle-field. I could not help singing that 
beautiful hymn : 

4 When I can read my title clear 

To mansions in the sky, 
I'll bid farewell to every fear, 
And wipe my weeping eyes.' 

And there was a Christian brother in the brush near me. 
I could not see him, but I could hear him. He took up 
the strain, and beyond him another and another caught it 
up, all over the terrible battle-field of Shiloh. That night 
the echo was resounding, and we made the field of battle 
ring with hymns of praise to God." 

Nor were there wanting instances of similar trust in the 



132 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ranks of treason; soldiers who were deluded Tby their 
leaders, and others impressed into the service, whose souls 
went up from the ensanguined plain or hospital, to wor- 
ship in " goodly fellowship" before the throne, with him 
who sang, in the dark, damp night, of Heaven ! 



A RECOOTOISSANCE.— NAVAL MOVEMENTS. 133 



CHAPTEE VIII. 

RECONNOISSANCE TOWARD CORINTH. 

Reconnoissance toward Corinth. — Movements on the Mississippi River. — Capture of 
New Orleans. — Beauregard alarmed. — Calls upon the Planters to burn their 
Cotton. — Cavalry Skirmish near Corinth. — Reconnoissance toward Jackson, Ten- 
nessee. — Troops concentrate at Pittsburg Landing. — General Grant's Commaud 
farther Enlarged. — Enemies again assail his Reputation. — Hon. Mr. Wash- 
burne's Defense. — General Halleck's Confidence in Grant. — Siege and Evacua- 
tion of Corinth. 

On the morning of April 17, 1862, a heavy cavalry 
force, under Brigadier-General Smith, Chief of Cavalry, 
was detailed to make a reconnoissance along the upper 
road from Pittsburg Landing to Corinth. The force ar- 
rived within two miles of Monterey without meeting any 
opposition. Several of the men dismounted to act as 
skirmishers, and steadily advanced until they discovered 
the exact position of a large force of the enemy, when they 
fell back upon the main body, and returned. 

On April 24th, another similar reconnoissance was made, 
under the same commander, toward an elevation known as 
Pea Ridge, where a rebel camp was discovered and 
destroyed, and a few prisoners taken. 

Meanwhile, there had been in progress a naval cam- 
paign, whose grand success followed immediately the 
great land triumphs at Donelson and Shiloh. And as 
it was connected^, in its results, directly with General 
Grant's movements and victories during the succeeding 
months, it will lend interest to the narrative of them, and 
shed light upon the whole field of conflict, to glance at 
the naval expedition culminating in the fall of New Or- 
leans. It will be recollected, that the first battle of Manas- 
sas was fought in July, 1861. 

The latter part of August, the first secret naval expe- 
dition, including the Minnesota, Wabash, Pawnee, Mon- 



134 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ticello, and Harriet Lane, war- steamers, sailed with trans- 
ports from Hampton Roads for Hatteras Inlet, to take trie 
rebel forts erected there, and hold the key of Albemarle 
Sound. Commodore Stringham commanded the sea forces, 
and General Butler those of the land. The splendid suc- 
cess of the expedition we know. After a protracted and 
terrible bombardment, the white flag was raised on the 
walls of Fort Hatteras. 

The next grand move in the naval field of action was 
under Dupont, in October, 1861, whose fleet consisted of 
eighteen men-of-war and thirty- eight transports ; the lat- 
ter carrying troops for the land attack. Port Royal was 
the destination of the armada. The guarding forts were 
Beauregard and Walker, which the rebels thought were 
impregnable, till the fleet rained its ponderous iron hail 
and exploding shells upon the garrisons. The terrified 
enemy made their escape. Among the heroes of this bat- 
tle was William H. Steel, only fourteen years of age, who 
handed up powder for one of the guns, amid the fiery hail 
and flying fragments, as coolly as a veteran of three-score 
years could have done. 

January, 1862, a third maritime expedition was fitted 
out, Commodore Goldsborough commanding, and General 
Burnside leading the land forces. The splendid fleet 
moved from Hampton Roads while a host of admiring 
spectators watched the grand march of the seventy ships, 
with banners in the breeze, and bands of music beneath 
the starry ensigns. 

Off Cape Hatteras a terrific gale scattered the fleet. 
Amid the awful dash and roar of the billows, General 
Burnside was calm in his trust ; " feeling," he said, " that 
God held them in the hollow of his hand." 

February 8th, saw the victorious charge on Park 
Point battery, followed by the capture of Roanoke Island 
and Newbern. A month later, the Monitor and the Mer- 
rimac met at Hampton Roads, and the "Yankee Cheese- 
Box" sent the rebel monster limping to his guarded den. 

Fort Pulaski was added, early in April, to the bom- 
barded and conquered strongholds of the rebellion. 

On the 15th, the troops selected for a grand expedition 



PASSING THE FORTS GUARDING NEW ORLEANS. 135 

against New Orleans, haying their rendezvous at Ship 
Island, near New Orleans, the fleets under Commodores 
Porter and Farragut were united, and the mortar flotilla 
anchored not far from Pilot Town. Farragut commanded 
the fleet, whose flag-ship was the Hartford, 

The formidable defenses of the Southern metropolis 
were Forts Jackson and St. Philip, sixty miles below it, 
two magnificent fortresses, whose scientific and elaborate 
construction defied attack ; and the garrisons within them, 
with the Confederacy around them, laughed the united 
fleets to scorn. They were reared by our own Govern- 
ment to guard from foreign invasion the common purchase 
of Revolutionary blood. They stand at a sharp bend 
of the " Father of Waters," and before them the current 
is rapid. 

On the 15th, a sudden alarm was signaled through 
the fleet. A raft, with its cords of pine-wood in a blaze, 
was running with the glow of wrath upon the Union fleet. 
Providentially, before reaching its goal it grounded and 
burned to the water's edge. Commodore Porter made 
prompt provision for a similar assault. One hundred 
and fifty boats were furnished with picked crews, axes, 
grax3nel-ropes, and buckets, to intercept the flaming her- 
alds of treason. We quote from a fine sketch of the scene : 

" As the signal rose at two o'clock on the morning of 
the 24th, which was two red lights, too common to at- 
tract the attention of the enemy, Commodore Farragut' s 
fleet started on its voyage of victory or ruin. The ad- 
vance was made in two columns. In the van were the 
three magnificent ships, the Hartford, the Brooklyn, and 
the Richmond, followed by the gunboats Sciota, Iroquois, 
Kennebec, Pinola, Itasca, and Winona ; the second col- 
umn by the Pensacola and the Mississippi. They all 
made • for the chasm in the barrier of hulks and chains, 
keeping up an incessant fire upon the forts, and, as ooe 
after another they passed through, the vessels of the first 
division ranged themselves to assail Fort St. Philip, and 
the second Fort Jackson, while all alike were prepared 
to attack and repel the rebel rams and gunboats, as occa- 
sion might require. It may be safely said that such a 



136 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



naval conflict was never witnessed on this earth before. 
The enemy were on the alert, and the beacon-fires soon 
blazed so brightly as to expose every movement of the 
fleet; and the whole stormy scene was illumined with a 
lurid glare, which added vastly to its sublimity, and its 
almost fiendlike horror. The Cayuga was the first which 
passed the chain-boom, under a terrible fire from both of 
the forts, which struck her repeatedly from stem to stern. 
The rest of the squadron rapidly followed. They were 
now directly abreast of the forts, exposed to the direct 
action of their guns, while the river above was crowded 
with the fire-rafts, rams, and gunboats of the foe. 

" Every ship in the fleet signalized itself by heroism 
which could not be surpassed. We cannot record the 
deeds of all ; let us allude to a few, as specimens of the 
rest. The United States steamship Brooklyn, in the dark- 
ness, and while exposed to the hottest fire, became en- 
tangled in the barricading hulks and chains. In attempt- 
ing to extricate the ship her bow grazed the shore. She, 
however, worked her way through, when the ram Ma- 
nassas came rushing upon her from the gloom. At the 
distance of ten feet the ram discharged her shot, which 
pierced the ship, and then, with a crash, struck her side, 
battering in the starboard gangway. The chain armor 
saved the ship from destruction, and the ram slid off and 
disappeared in the darkness. 

" Fort Jackson, in the liftings of the smoke, caught a 
glimpse of the majestic ship, and opened upon her a rak- 
ing fire. Just then a large rebel steamer came rushing up 
on the port broadside. When at the distance of but sixty 
yards, the Brooklyn poured into the audacious stranger 
one single volley of shell and red-hot shot, and the frag- 
ments of the steamer, in a mass of crackling flame, drifted 
down the stream. 

" The Brooklyn, still groping its way along, lighted by 
the flames of an approaching fire-raft, and yet enveloped 
in its resinous smoke, soon found itself abreast of St. 
Philip, almost touching the shore. The ship chanced to 
be in such a position that she could bring almost every 
gun to bear. Tarrying for a moment, she poured into the 



THE PROGRESS OF THE NAVAL BATTLE. 



137 



fort such a storm of grape and canister as completely to 
silence the work. The men stationed in the tops of the 
frigate said that, by the light of their bursting shrapnels, 
they could see the garrison ' running like sheep for more 
comfortable quarters.' 

" The Brooklyn then rushed into the nest of rebel gun- 
boats, fighting them indiscriminately, with her broadsides 
striking the most terrific blows, and continuing the con- 
test, in connection with the other vessels, for an hour and 
a half, until the rebel fleet was annihilated. After the ac- 
tion was over, Commodore Farragut took the hand of Cap- 
tain Craven, of the Brooklyn, in both of his, and said : 
' You and your noble ship have been the salvation of my 
squadron. You were in a complete blaze of fire ; so much 
so that I supposed your ship was burning up. I never 
saw such rapid and precise firing. It never was sur- 
passed, and probably never was equaled.' 

' ' The Mississippi encountered the ram Manassas, 
rushing upon her at full speed. The noble old frigate, un- 
daunted, instead of evading the blow, turned to meet her 
antagonist, and, with all steam on, made a plunge at the 
monster. Just as the blow was to come which would 
decide whose head was to be broken open, the Manassas, 
taking counsel of discretion, dodged. But as she glided 
by, a point-blank broadside from the immense armament 
of the Mississippi swept off her smoke-stack, crashed 
through her iron sides, and set her on fire. The crew 
took to the shore, and the redoubtable ram drifted, a 
total wreck, down the stream. The nondescript monster 
presented a curious spectacle as she floated along, the 
flames bursting through the broken chinks of her mail, 
her shot-fractures, and her port-holes. Commodore Por- 
ter, wishing to save her as a curiosity, sent some boats to 
pass a hawser around the ram and secure it to the shore. 
Scarcely was this done when the monster uttered as it 
were, an expiring groan, as the water rushed in, driving 
the air and the belching flames through her bow-port, and 
then, 'like a huge animal, she gave a plunge, and dis- 
appeared under the water.' The achievements of the 
Yaruna, under Captain Boggs, were among the crowning 



138 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



glories of this eventful day. It has been well said, he 
'fought a battle fully equal in desperate hardihood and 
resolute bravery to the famous sea-fight of John Paul 
Jones, which nothing human could surpass.' After 
taking or destroying six of the enemy's vessels, an un- 
armed point was pierced, and, while the water rushed 
in, the crew jumped into the boats of the Oneida, 
sent for their rescue, as she went down with her dead, 
'victorious in death,' her flag still flying, covered with 
glory." 

The next morning dawned on drifting wrecks and 
smoke, through and beyond which the Union fleet was 
marching for New Orleans. A dispatch was sent to 
General Butler that the way was clear for landing his 
troops. Soon after, at noon, the armada, having had 
only three gunboats disabled, thirty men killed, and 
one hundred and ten wounded, moored in front of the 
city. 

The pride of the boastful chivalry, already humbled, 
on the 26th, was now in the dust, under the national 
colors floating from the public buildings. 

With New Orleans safely under the Stars and Stripes, 
Flag-Ofhcer Farragut pushed up the " Father of Waters." 
On the 27th he reached and passed the batteries above the 
city without injury. 

The object of the expedition was to communicate with 
Flag-Officer Davis, commanding the Mississippi squadron, 
look after the rebel ram Arkansas, and complete arrange- 
ments for a joint attack on Yicksburg. A bombardment 
proved fruitless, because the high banks, bristling with 
ordnance, could not be battered down, nor the fortress 
taken by shot from the decks of the fleet, without the co- 
operation of land forces. Eighteen days later, Farragut 
returned, successfully repassed the batteries, and made 
Pensacola the place of rendezvous for the squadron. 

The operations along the Mississippi River had opened 
that highway some distance below Island No. 10, and, on 
learning this, General Beauregard, who had assumed the 
chief command of the rebel troops, issued an address to 
the planters, as follows :— 



COTTON-BURKING.-- SKIRMISHING. 



139 



" The casualties of war have opened the Mississippi to 
our enemies. The time has, therefore, come to test the 
earnestness of all classes, and I call upon all patriotic 
planters owning cotton in the possible reach of our ene- 
mies, to apply the torch to it without delay or hesita- 
tion." 

It was thought that by this mode of procedure the 
Union troops would have less inducement to fight, as 
the profit of their victories w r ould necessarily be greatly 
decreased. In this, however, the rebels had greatly 
deceived themselves. 

On April 27th, Purdy, on the Jackson and Corinth 
Railroad, was abandoned by the rebels, and a cavalry 
skirmish took place near Monterey, a village situated 
about ten miles from Corinth. Several prisoners were 
taken, from whom it was ascertained that Beauregard was 
concentrating all his available force at Corinth, which 
he had fortified, and where, he said, he was determined 
to make a desperate resistance. On the 29th, a similar 
affair took place at Monterey, the rebels losing their camp 
and several prisoners. 

A reconnaissance in force was made by the right wing 
of General Halleck's grand army, on April 30, 1862, to 
a point of the railroad four miles above Purdy, between 
Corinth and Jackson, Tennessee. The Union troops were 
met by a body of rebel cavalry, who fled to that town, 
closely pursued by the advancing forces. Purdy was 
taken possession of by the Unionists, who soon, by the 
destruction of bridges, etc., cut off all railroad communi- 
cation along that route between Corinth and Northwestern 
Tennessee. On this day the siege of Corinth may be said 
to have commenced. 

General Halleck, determined to have a force of men 
under him, that should be invincible in the event of a 
battle, sent for all the unemployed troops in his large 
department, ordering them to be concentrated at Pitts- 
burg Landing, which was constituted a base of op- 
erations in the movement upon Corinth. This force he 
designated as the " Grand Army of the Tennessee," a 
special compliment to General Grant, the commander of 



140 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the original Army of the Tennessee. The " Grand Army" 
was divided as follows : — 

The Army of the Ohio (centre), under General Buell. 

The Army of the Mississippi (left), under General 
Pope. 

The Army of the Tennessee (right), under General 
Grant. 

This grand army was composed of sixteen divisions, 
eight of which formed the Army of the Tennessee, and 
were placed nnder the immediate command of General 
Grant ; four under General Pope, and four under General 
Buell. General Grant' s command was, therefore, as large 
as the two other armies combined, and was divided into 
the " right," or active wing, under General Thomas, and 
"the reserve," under General McClernand. 

At this time there was again bitter opposition to 
General Grant, and complaints were heard from the 
excited friends of those who had fallen at Donelson and 
Shiloh. The charges preferred against him were inca- 
pacity and inebriety, and the persons who made them 
had, doubtless, been stirred up by those who wished to 
kill the rising fame of the heroic commander. The feeling 
against him found its way into the halls of Congress, and 
every effort was made to remove him from his command. 
The Hon. E. B. Washburne, representing in Congress the 
Galena District, the home of both General Grant and 
himself, promptly undertook his defense. As a compre- 
hensive review of the commander's history, an index of 
the popular feeling at that period of the war, and an 
eloquent vindication of comparatively unappreciated gen- 
eralship, his words have a peculiar and abiding interest. 
It seems indeed strange to us now, and can only awaken 
a smile both in him and his admirers, in the present light 
of his world-wide and undying fame. 

The loyal member from Illinois said in his address : — 

"Lamartine, in his celebrated history of the Girondins, 
speaking of one of those incidents so characteristic of the 
French Revolution, says : 

" ' The news of the victory of Hondschoote filled Paris 
with joy. But even the joy of the people was cruel. The 



H0^ T . E. B. WASHBUKiTE ON GRANT. 



141 



Convention reproached as a treason the victory of a vic- 
torious general. Its commissioners to the army of the 
North, Hentz, Peyssard, and Duquesnoy, deposed Hou- 
chard, and sent him to the revolutionary tribunal. The 
unfortunate Hou chard was condemned to death, and met 
his fate with the intrepidity of a soldier and the calmness 
of an innocent man. It was shown that even victory was 
not protection against the scaffold.' 

1 ' It may "be inquired whether, in this rebellion, history 
is not repeating itself. I come before the House to do a 
great act of justice to a soldier in the field, and to vindi- 
cate him from the obloquy and misrepresentations so 
persistently and cruelly thrust before the country. I 
refer to a distinguished general who has recently fought 
the bloodiest and hardest battle ever fought on this con- 
tinent, and won one of the most brilliant victories. I 
refer to the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and to Major- 
General Ulysses S. Grant. A native of Ohio, he gradua- 
ted at West Point, July 1, 1843, with the brevet rank of 
second-lieutenant, and was appointed second-lieutenant 
September 30, 1845. Though but forty years old, he has 
been oftener under fire and been in more battles than any 
other man living on this continent, excepting that great 
chieftain now reposing on his laurels and on the affections 
of his countrymen, Lieutenant- General Scott. He was in 
every battle in Mexico that it was possible for any one 
man to be in. He followed the victorious standard of 
General Taylor on the Rio Grande, and was in the battles 
of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey. He was 
with General Scott at Vera Cruz, and participated in every 
battle from the Gulf to the City of Mexico. He was 
breveted first-lieutenant September 8, 1847, for gallant and 
meritorious conduct at the battle of Molino del Rey, and 
on the 13th of the same month he was breveted captain for 
gallant and meritorious conduct at the battle of Chapulte- 
pec. He has received the baptism of fire. Xo young 
officer came out of the Mexican War with more distinc- 
tion than Grant, and the records of the War Department 
bear official testimony to his gallant and noble deeds. 
He resigned in 18oo, and afterward settled in Galena, 



142 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT 



in the district I have the honor to represent on this 
floor. 

" Grant was among the first to offer his services to the 
country at the commencement of hostilities, saying that as 
he had been educated by the Government, that Govern- 
ment was entitled to his services in its time of peril. 
Early made a colonel of one of the Illinois regiments, he 
went into actual service in Missouri. His commands there 
were important, and he discharged every duty with great 
fidelity and advantage to the public service. With a 
military head and a military hand, he everywhere evoked 
order from chaos. Military discipline, order, and economy 
traveled in his path. In time he was made a brigadier- 
general, and intrusted with the important command of the 
district of Cairo ••and how diligently, how faithfully, how 
satisfactorily he discharged all his duties, is well known to 
the country. While in that command, learning of a move- 
ment about being made by the rebels at Columbus to send 
out a large force to cut off Colonel Oglesby, who had gone 
into Missouri after that roaming bandit, Jeff. Thompson, 
by a sudden and masterly stroke he fell upon Belmont, 
and, after a brilliant and decisive action, in which he and 
all his troops displayed great bravery, he broke up the 
rebel camp with great loss, and then returned to Cairo. 
The expedition was broken up, Oglesby' s command was 
saved, and every thing was accomplished that was ex- 
pected. 

" In time came the operations up the Cumberland and 
Tennessee rivers, and I state what I know. By a singular 
coincidence, on the 29th day of January last, without any 
suggestion from any source, General Grant and Commo- 
dore Foote, always acting in entire harmony, applied for 
permission to move up those rivers, which was granted. 
The gunboats and land forces moved up to Fort Henry. 
After that fort was taken, it was determined to attack 
Fort Donelson. The gunboats* were to go round and up 
the Cumberland River, while the army was to move 
overland from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson. 

"The roads were the worst ever known, and almost 
any other general or any other troops would have de- 



HON. E. B. WASHBTJENE ON GRANT. 



143 



spaired of moving. But they did move. If General 
Grant had been told that it was impossible to move his 
army there, he would have made a reply like to that of 
the royal Pompey, when he was told that his fleet could 
not sail: "It is necessary to sail, not necessary to live." 
It was necessary for this western army to march, but it 
was not necessary to live. The country knows the result 
— Donelson fell. The enemy, twenty thousand strong, 
behind his intrenchments, succumbed before the unrelent- 
ing bravery and vigor of our troops^ no more than twenty- 
eight thousand engaged. We took there, not twelve 
thousand, not fifteen thousand, but more than sixteen 
thousand prisoners. I have it from General Halleck that 
we have actually paid transportation for more than sixteen 
thousand prisoners. That, in most countries, would have 
been called a most brilliant military achievement. Napo- 
leon surrounded Old Mack at Ulm, and captured twenty 
thousand or more prisoners, and that exploit has filled a 
great space in history. 

"While the capture of Donelson filled the country 
with joy, there was a cruel disposition to withhold from 
the commanding general the meed of gratitude and praise 
so justly his due. Captious criticisms were indulged in 
that he did not make the attack properly, and that if he 
had done differently the work might have been better 
accomplished. It was not enough that he fought and 
gloriously conquered, but he ought to have done it 
differently, forsooth. Success could be no test of merit 
with him. That was the way the old generals spoke of 
the young Napoleon when he was beating them in every 
battle, and carrying his eagles in triumph over all Europe. 
He did not fight according to the rules of war. But there 
was a more grievous suggestion touching the general's 
habits. It is a suggestion that has infused itself into the 
public mind everywhere. There never was a more cruel 
and atrocious slander upon a brave and noble-minded 
man. There is no more temperate man in the army than 
General Grant. He never indulges in the use of intoxi- 
cating liquors at all. He is an example of courage, honor, 
fortitude, activity, temperance, and modesty, for he is as 



144 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



modest as lie is "brave and incorruptible. To the bravery 
and fortitude of Lannes, he adds the stern republican 
simplicity of Guvion St. Cyr. It is almost vain to hope 
that full justice will ever be done to men who have 
been thus attacked. Truth is slow upon the heels of 
falsehood. It has been well said that 'falsehood will 
travel from Maine to Georgia while truth is putting on its 
boots.' 

"Let no gentleman have any fears of General Grant. 
He is no candidate for the Presidency. He is no politi- 
cian. Inspired by the noblest patriotism, he only desires 
to do his whole duty to his country. When the war shall 
be over he will return to his home, and sink the soldier in 
the simple citizen. Though living in the same town with 
myself, he has no political claims on me ; for, so far as he 
is a politician, he belongs to a different party. He has no 
personal claims upon me more than any other constituent. 
But I came here to speak as an Illinoisian, proud of his 
noble and patriotic State ; proud of its great history now 
being made up ; proud above all earthly things of her 
brave soldiers, who are shedding their blood upon all 
the battle-fields of the Eepublic. If the laurels of Grant 
shall ever be withered, it will not be done by the Illi- 
nois soldiers who have followed his victorious ban- 
ner. 

"But to the victory at Pittsburg Landing, which has 
called forth such a flood of denunciation upon General 
Grant. When we consider the charges of bad generalship, 
incompetency, and surprise, do we not feel that ' even 
the joy of the people is cruel ?' As to the question of 
whether there was, or not, what might be called a sur- 
prise, I will not argue it : but even if there had been, 
General Grant is nowise responsible for it, for he was not 
surprised. He was at his head- quarters at Savannah when 
the fight commenced. Those head-quarters were estab- 
lished there as being the most convenient point for all 
parts of his command. Some of the troops were at 
Crump's Landing, between Savannah and Pittsburg, and 
all the new arrivals were coming to Savannah. That was 
the proper place for the head-quarters of the commanding 



HOST. E. B. WASHBUENE 027 GRANT. 



145 



general at that time. The general visited Pittsburg Land- 
ing and all the important points every day. The attack 
was made Sunday morning "by a vastly superior force. In 
five minutes after the first firing was heard, General Grant 
and staff were on board a steamboat on their way to the 
battle-field, and instead of not reaching the field till ten 
o'clock, or. as has been still more falsely represented, till 
noon, I have a letter before me from one of his aids who 
was with him, and who says he arrived there at eight 
o'clock in the morning, and immediately assumed com- 
mand. There lie directed the movements, and was always 
on that part of the field where his presence was most re- 
quired, exposing his life, and evincing in his dispositions 
the genius of the greatest commanders. With what des- 
perate bravery that battle of Sunday was fought ! What 
display of prowess and courage ! What prodigies of 
valor ! Our troops, less than forty thousand, attacked by 
more than eighty thousand of the picked men of the rebels, 
led by their most distinguished generals ! 

; *But it is gravely charged by these military critics 
who sit by the fireside while our soldiers are risking their 
lives on the field of conflict, that Grant was to blame in 
having his troops on the same side of the river with the 
enemy. I suppose they would have the river interpose 
between our army and the enemy, and permit that enemy 
to intrench himself on the other side, and then undertake 
to cross in his face. It was, in the judgment of the best 
military men, a wise disposition of his forces, placing 
them where he did. To have done otherwise, would have 
been like keeping the entire Army of the Potomac on this 
side of the river, instead of crossing it when it could be 
done, and advancing on the other side. 

<; After fighting all clay with immensely superior num- 
bers of the enemy, they only drove our forces back two 
and one-half miles, and then it was to face the gunboats 
and the terrible batteries so skilfully arranged and worked 
by the gallant and accomplished officers, Webster and 
Callender, and which brought the countless host of the 
enemy to a stand. And when night came, this uncon- 
querable army stood substantially triumphant on that 
10 



146 LTFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

bloody field. I am not here to speak disparagingly of 
the troops of any other State, but I will speak in praise 
of the troops of my own State. No Illinois regiment, no 
Illinois company, no Illinois soldier, fled from the battle- 
field. If any did flee, they were not from Illinois, and 
they would be the ones who, after their own flight, would 
seek to coyer up their own disgrace, but only add to it, 
by attacks upon an Illinois general. 

"I have something to say about the generals and the 
soldiers who fought in the battle. I have a word to say 
about the brave McClernand, so lately our colleague here, 
who, as I learn from a man who was on the battle-field 
on that Sunday, was seen riding at the head of his di- 
vision, holding his flag in the face of the enemy, daring 
them to come on. I would say something in relation to 
the bravery and skill of Hurlburt, from my own district, 
who commanded another division there, and won great 
glory. I would say something in defence of another man 
who has been charged with having his division surprised, 
and having been taken prisoner at the time. I mean 
General Prentiss. I have a letter upon my desk which 
says, that instead of being surprised on Sunday morning, 
the writer saw him at half-past two o' clock of that day 
fighting most gallantly at the head of his division. I 
rejoice to have this opportunity to make that statement 
in justice to a brave man and true soldier. 

"If I had time I would like to speak of others; I 
would speak of General Wallace, of my State, who fell 
nobly fighting at the head of his division, a soldier by 
nature, a pure and noble man, whose memory will be ever 
honored in Illinois. I would speak of the gallant Colonel 
Ellis, falling at the head of the Fifteenth, and of Major 
Goddard, of the same regiment, also killed ; of Davis, of 
the Forty-sixth, terribly wounded while gallantly bear- 
ing in his own hands the colors of his regiment. I would 
speak of the deeds of valor of the lead-mine Forty -fifth, 
covering itself with undying honor ; of Captains Connor 
and Johnson, falling at the head of their companies ; of 
the genial and impetuous young Irishman, Lieutenant 
George Moore, mortally wounded ; of Captains Wayne, 



HOK E. B. WASHBURNE ON GRANT. 



147 



and Nase, and Brownell— all killed. Nor would I fail 
to mention Brigadier- General Mc Arthur and Acting Brig- 
adier-General Kirk, who boldly led their "brigades wher- 
ever duty called and danger threatened, and were at last 
carried from the field badly wounded. And of Colonel 
Chetlain, of the old Twelfth, rising from a sick-bed and 
entering into the thickest of the fight. And, too, I would 
like to speak of the dauntless valor of Ra wrings, and 
Rowley, and Campbell, and of many others who distin- 
guished themselves on that field. 

' ' I see before me my friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
McPherson), which reminds me of a friend of us both — 
young Baugher, a lieutenant in the lead-mine regiment, 
who, wounded six times, refused to leave the field ; and, 
when finally carried off, waved his sword in defiance to 
the enemy. But who shall attempt to do justice to the 
bravery of the soldiers and the daring and skill of the 
officers ; who shall describe all the valor exhibited on 
those days ; who shall presume to speak of all the glory 
won on that blood-stained field \ I have spoken of those 
more particularly from my own part of the State ; but 
it is because I know them best, and not because I claim 
more credit for them than I know to be due to the troops 
from all parts of the State. They all exhibited the same 
bravery, the same unbounded devotion, the same ardor 
in vindicating the honor and glory of the flag, and main- 
taining the prestige of our State. 

' ' I have detained the House too long, but I have felt 
called upon to say this much. I came only to claim 
public justice ; the battle of Pittsburg Landing, though 
a bloody one, yet it will make a bright page in our his- 
tory. The final charge of General Grant at the head of 
his reserves will have a place, too, in history. While 
watching the progress of the battle, on Monday afternoon, 
word came to him that the enemy was faltering on the 
left. With the genius that belongs only to the true mili- 
tary man, he saw that the time for the final blow had 
come. In quick words he said, ' Now is the time to drive 
them.' It was worthy the world-renowned order of Wel- 
lington, ' Up, Guards, and at them !' 



148 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



"Word was sent by Ms body-guard to the different 
regiments to be ready to charge when the order was given ; 
then, riding out in front amid a storm of bullets, he led 
the charge in person, and Beauregard was driven howl- 
ing to his intrenchments. His left was broken, and a 
retreat commenced which soon degenerated into a perfect 
rout. The loss of the enemy was three to our two in 
men, and in much greater proportion in the demoraliza- 
tion of an army which follows a defeat. That battle has 
laid the foundation for finally driving the rebels from the 
Southwest. So much for the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
which has evoked such unjust and cruel criticism, but 
which history will record as one of the most glorious 
victories that has ever illustrated the annals of a great 
nation." 

General Halleck does not appear to have been influ- 
enced at all by the attempts to injure his most successful 
general. On the contrary, May 1st, he expressed his 
strengthening confidence in the ability of the patient, 
dignified officer, whose silence amid detraction and mis- 
representation was a sublime assurance of his true great- 
ness — by placing him second in command to himself over 
the grand army, and allowing him to retain the personal 
command of his own special forces on the right, and of 
the District of Tennessee, in which the expected battle 
was to be fought. 

General Beauregard being advised of the manner of 
procedure of the Union troops, and expecting a severe 
battle, called for all the re-enforcements he could obtain. 
On the 2d of May, 1862, a strong rebel force concentrated 
at Corinth, and to this united command he issued a very 
spirited address. 

Reconnoissances were continually sent out, and, on the 
8th of May, the cavalry penetrated the enemy's lines 
within a mile and a half of Corinth. The rebels made 
several dashes uj>on our front, and succeeded in com- 
pelling some of the forces on the left to retire. 

On the 11th of May, a consultation of the officers was 
held at General Halleck' s head-quarters, and it was de- 
cided that a general advance should be made. Shortly 



THE MOVEMENT TOWARD OOEIOTH. 



149 



after, the movement of the troops commenced. Steadily 
they marched forward toward a common centre, which 
was understood to be Corinth, with enthusiasm, sobered 
by the anticipation of a terrific battle to secure vic- 
tory. 

The rebels did not intend to let the Union troops 
arrive at Corinth, or in its close vicinity, without a 
struggle. And, on May 17, 1862, General Sherman's 
Fifth Division of General Grant's Army of the Tennes- 
see was brought into conflict with the enemy at Russell' s 
House, on the road to that city. They were forced back 
to their strongholds, while the Union forces continued 
to occupy this former rebel position, which they in- 
trenched. 

When the strength of Corinth was definitely ascer- 
tained, the plan was to reduce the fortified city by regu- 
lar approaches. General Beauregard, as an engineer 
officer, being fully aware of the ultimate result, began to 
withdraw his garrison by the roads still open to him. 
This movement became the more necessary, as the United 
States naval forces were rapidly approaching Memphis 
from above, and Isew Orleans and other points of the 
Mississippi River below had already fallen into our 
hands. Should Memphis and Vicksburg be taken before 
his forces could escape from Corinth, it was more than 
likely that his whole command, which was becoming de- 
moralized, would have surrendered, rather than endure 
the horrors of a siege. 

To cover his retrograde movements, General Beaure- 
gard sent out a force to resist the advance of our troops, 
who were about to take possession of the ridge to the 
north of Phillip's Creek. On May 21st, the Second Di- 
vision of General Grant's Army of the Tennessee, under 
General T. A. Davis, made the necessary movements to 
occupy the elevation, but found the rebels very strongly 
posted. By a feint of a retreat the garrison was brought 
out of their works, and, after a vigorous contest, was 
completely routed. The Union division then took pos- 
session of the heights, securing at the same time several 
prisoners, with their arms, camp, and equipage. A recon- 



150 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



noissance was then made toward Corinth, to find out the 
position of the enemy, who still was able to show a bold 
front. 

The parallels of the Union army began daily to get 
nearer and nearer to the city, and skirmishing was a con- 
stant occurrence along the whole Hue. A sharp fight 
between General Sherman's division and the rebels took 
place on May 27th ; but as the latter, though haying the 
largest force, retreated, it was evident that the contest was 
merely to delay the advance of the Union army. 

General Sherman, in his report of the engagement, 
says : — 

"The enemy was evidently surprised, and only killed 
two of our men, and wounded nine. After he had reached 
the ridge he opened on us with a two-gun battery on the 
right and another from the front and left, doing my bri- 
gades but little harm, but killing three of General Veatck's 
men. With our artillery we soon silenced his, and by ten 
a. m. we were masters of the position. Generals Grant 
and Thomas were present during the affair, and witnessed 
the movement, which was admirably executed, all the 
officers and men keeping their places like real sol- 
diers." 

The above extract indicated that the impression was 
false that General Grant had been relieved from actual 
command in the field for the result of the first day's en- 
gagement at Shiloh. 

Three columns of Union troops advanced the next day, 
under the personal superintendence of General Grant, to 
within gunshot of the rebel works at Corinth, and made a 
reconnoissance in force. The enemy hotly contested the 
ground ; but, being closely pressed, fell back, with con- 
siderable loss. The column on the left encountered the 
greatest opposition. 

The following account of the advance is given by one 
who participated in the siege : — 

"Though the task be a most difficult one, yet I will 
try to give a faint idea of the scenes which an advance 
presents. 

"First, the enemy must be driven back. Regiments 



THE ADVANCE ON CORINTH. 



151 



and artillery are placed in position, and generally the cav- 
alry is in advance ; but, when the opposing forces are in 
close proximity, the infantry does the work. The whole 
front is covered by a cloud of skirmishers, and then re- 
serves formed, and then, in connection with the main line, 
they advance. For a moment all is still as the grave to 
those in the background ; as the line moves on, the eye is 
strained in vain to follow the skirmishers as they creep 
silently forward ; then, from some point of the line, a 
single rifle rings through the forest, sharp and clear, and, 
as if in echo, another answers it. In a moment more, the 
whole line resounds with the din of arms. Here the fire 
is slow and steady, there it rattles with fearful rapidity, 
and this mingled with the great roar of the reserves as the 
skirmishers chance at any point to be driven in ; and if, 
by reason of superior force, these reserves fall back to the 
main force, then every nook and corner seems full of 
sound. The batteries open their terrible voices, and their 
shells sing horribly while winging their flight, and their 
dull explosion speaks plainly of death ; their canister and 
grape go crashing through the trees, rifles sing, the mus- 
kets roar, and the din is terrific. Then the slackening of 
the fire denotes the withdrawing of the one party, and the 
more distant picket-firing, that the work was accom- 
plished. The silence becomes almost painful after such a 
scene as this, and no one can conceive of the effect who 
has not experienced it ; it cannot be described. The 
occasional firing of the pickets, which shows that the 
new lines are established, actually occasions a sense of 
relief. The movements of the mind under such circum- 
stances are sudden and strong. It awaits with intense 
anxiety the opening of the contest, it rises with the din 
of battle, it sinks with the lull which follows it, and 
finds itself in fit condition to sympathize most deeply 
with the torn and bleeding ones that are fast being borne 
to the rear. 

"When the ground is clear, then the time for working- 
parties has arrived, and as this is the description of a real 
scene, let me premise that the works were to reach through 
the center of a large open farm of at least three hundred 



152 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



acres, surrounded "by woods, one side of it being occupied 
"by rebel pickets. These had been driven back, as I have 
described. 

"The line of the works was selected, and at the word 
of command three thousand men, with axes, spades, and 
picks, stepped out into the open field from their cover in 
the woods ; in almost as short a time as it takes to tell it, 
the fence-rails which surrounded and divided three hun- 
dred acres into convenient farm-lots were on the shoulders 
of the men, and on the way to the intended line of works. 
In a few moments more a long line of crib-work stretches 
over the slope of the hill, as if another anaconda fold had 
been twisted around the rebels. Then as for a time, the 
ditches deepen, the cribs fill up, the dirt is packed on the 
outer side, the bushes and all points of concealment are 
cleared from the front, and the center divisions of our 
army had taken a long stride toward the rebel works. 
The siege-guns are brought up and placed in commanding 
positions. A log-house furnishes the hewn and seasoned 
timber for the platforms, and the plantation of a Southern 
lord has been thus speedily transferred into one of Uncle 
Sam's strongholds, where the Stars and Stripes float 
proudly. Thus had the whole army (under the imme- 
diate charge of General Grant, the commander in the 
field) worked itself up into the very teeth of the rebel 
works, and rested there on Thursday night, the twen- 
ty-eighth, expecting a general engagement at any mo- 
ment. 

u Soon after daylight, on Friday morning, the army 
was startled by rapid and long-continued explosions, 
similar to musketry, but much louder. The conviction 
flashed across my mind that the rebels were blowing up 
their loose ammunition and leaving. The dense smoke 
arising in the direction of Corinth strengthened this belief, 
and soon the whole army was advancing on a grand recon- 
noissance. The distance through the woods was short, 
and in a few minutes shouts arose from the rebel lines, 
which told that our army was in the enemy's trenches. 
Regiment after regiment pressed on, and passing through 
extensive camps just vacated, soon reached Corinth, and 



THE EVACUATION OF CORINTH. 



153 



found half of it in names. Beauregard and Bragg had left 
the afternoon "before, and the rear-guard had passed out of 
the town before daylight, leaving enough stragglers to com- 
mit many acts of vandalism, at the expense of private prop- 
erty. They burned churches and other public buildings, 
private goods, stores, and dwellings, and choked up half 
the wells in the town. In the camps immediately around 
the town, there were few evidences of hasty retreat, but 
on the right flank, where Price and Van Dorn were en- 
camped, the destruction of baggage and stores was very 
great, showing precipitate flight. Portions of our army 
were immediately put in pursuit. 

"It seems that it was the slow and careful approach of 
General Halleck which caused the retreat. They would 
doubtless have remained had we attacked their positions 
without first securing our rear. But they could not stand 
a siege. The position was a most commanding one and 
well protected." 

The works were first occupied by the Fifth Division 
of General Grant's Army of the Tennessee, under the com- 
mand of Major- General William T. Sherman, which, be- 
tween the interval of leaving Shiloh and the occupa- 
tion of Corinth, had occupied and strongly intrenched 
seven distinct camps, in a manner to excite the admira- 
tion and high commendation of the commanding gen- 
erals. This division was on the right flank of the grand 
army during the whole advance, and was, therefore, espe- 
cially exposed by its position, and having to detail a 
larger guard and perform more work than its companion 
divisions. 

Shortly before midnight, on May 29, 1862, the last col- 
umn of the rebel army was withdrawn from the works, 
leaving their pickets unprotected. The evacuation of 
Corinth at the time, and the manner in which it was 
done, was a clear back- down from the high and arrogant 
tone heretofore used by the rebels. They had chosen 
their own ground, which they had fortified, occupying a 
very large force for two months in the construction of 
their defenses, and they naturally believed the works to 
be strong enough to resist and defeat their assailants. 



154 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Ten days before, General Grant had urged an advance 
upon the works, sure that the Union forces could "bag" 
the rebel army. After the evacuation, General Halleck 
acknowledged the mistake, and assured Grant he should, 
after that, have his own way. 

Corinth was, indeed, a stronghold, and its importance, 
to whichever side should hold it, cannot be over-estimated. 
As an evidence of its value, it was kept by the United 
States forces as a strongly-garrisoned military post until 
the beginning of 1864. 

There is a good description of the occupation of Cor- 
inth, written on the spot, the name of whose author is not 
given : — 

"The siege of Corinth, begun on April 30, ended this 
morning. About half-past six, in the morning, orders to 
march were received, and at seven, the greater portion of 
the men were outside their breastworks, cautiously feeling 
their way through the dense underbrush which intervened 
between our fortifications and the defenses of Corinth ; 
but, after proceeding three-eighths of a mile, they came to 
an open space, and the enemy's works, abandoned and 
desolate, burst upon their astonished gaze. The sight was 
entirely unexpected. 

" The opening was made by the rebels, who had felled 
the timber for about three hundred yards in front of their 
intrenchments, for the double purpose of obstructing our 
progress and giving them a fair view of our column when 
within rifle-range. 

4 ' The view from the highest point of the rebel works, 
immediately in front of Davies's, now Rosecrans's, divis- 
ion of Grant's Army of the Tennessee, was truly grand. 
The circle of vision was at least five miles in extent, stretch- 
ing from the extreme right to the extreme left, and the 
magnificent display of banners, the bristling of shining 
bayonets, and the steady step of the handsomely-attired 
soldiers, presented a pageant which has seldom been wit- 
nessed on this continent. 

"Upon many of the regimental ensigns were printed 
4 Wilson's Creek,' 'Dug Springs,' 'Donelson,' or 'Shiloh,' 
and one or two wave all these mottoes in the breeze. 



SCENES IN THE SIEGE OF CORINTH. 



155 



Those who passed through all these trying ordeals, un- 
scathed, or who received honorable wounds in either, in 
in future can look back upon a life devoted to their coun- 
try' s service, and feel that proud satisfaction which is de- 
nied to others not less patriotic, but less fortunate. In 
future pageants in honor of the nation's birthday, when 
the last relics of former struggles have become extinct, and 
when these shall be bowed down with age, they will be 
their country' s honored guests, and receive that considera- 
tion due their noble deeds. - 

" Notwithstanding the desire of the soldiers to possess 
themselves of relics of the retreating foe, perfect order 
was maintained in the lines. Your correspondent wan- 
dered around the large area lately occupied by the rebel 
troops, but found few trophies which were worth pre- 
serving. A broken sword and double-barrelled shot-gun 
were picked up after an hour's search, but these were 
seized by the provost-marshal at the Landing, and con- 
fiscated. 

"The enemy, with the exception of the rear-guard, had 
left with the greatest deliberation. A few worthless tents, 
some heavy kettles, a large number of old barrels, tin 
cups, and articles of this description, were the only camp 
equipages not taken away. 

"There is nothing so desolate as a newly- deserted 
camp. But yesterday, and all was life and animation ; to- 
day the white tents have disappeared, the heavy footsteps 
have ceased to sound, and no evidence, save the desolated, 
hard-trodden ground, and a few tent-stakes, remains to tell 
the story. 

"Nothing surprised me more than the character of the 
rebel works. From the length of time Beauregard' s army 
had been occupying the place, with a view to its defense, 
and from the importance the rebel general attached to it, 
in his dispatch which was intercepted by General Mitchel, 
I had been led to suppose that the fortifications were really 
formidable. But such was not the case. I admire the en- 
gineering which dictated the position of the intrenchments, 
and the lines they occupied, but that is all that deserves 
the slightest commendation. 



158 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



"But a single line of general fortifications had "been 
constructed, and these were actually less formidable than 
those thrown up by our forces last night, after occupying 
a new position. There were, beside this general line, occa- 
sional rifle-pits, both outside and inside the works, but 
they could have been constructed by three relief- details in 
six hours. 

"The only fortifications really worthy the name were 
a few points where batteries were located, but these could 
not have resisted our Parrot and siege-guns half an hour. 
Yet the positions occupied by the breastworks were capa- 
ble of being strengthened so as to render them almost in- 
vulnerable to a front attack, and no little difficulty would 
have been experienced in flanking the position, either on 
the right or left. 

' ' The works were on the Tbrow of a ridge, considerably 
higher than any in the surrounding country, and at the 
foot of it was a ravine, correspondingly deep. The zigzag 
course of the line gave the defenders the command of all 
the feasible approaches, and hundreds could have been 
mowed down at every step made by an assailing army, 
even from the imperfect earth-banks which had been 
thrown up. 

' £ Had a fight occurred, it must have been decided by 
artillery, and in this respect we had the advantage, both 
in number and calibre of our guns ; but had they im- 
proved the advantages they possessed, and fortified as 
men who really intended to make a stubborn defense, this 
superiority might have been overcome. 

"The conduct of the rebels is, indeed, beyond compre- 
hension. Here is a place commanding several important 
railroads ; a place, the seizure of which, Beauregard con- 
fessed, in his celebrated dispatch to Davis, would open to 
us the valley of the Mississippi ; a position capable of as 
stubborn a defense as Sebastopol, and yet scarcely an 
effort is made to fortify it, and its possessors fly at our 
approach. A stubborn resistance, even though followed 
by defeat, would command respect abroad; but a succes- 
sion of evacuations, upon the slightest approach of danger, 
can insure only contempt. 



THE SITUATION" AND APPEARANCE OF CORINTH. 157 



"The troops from every direction marched toward a 
common center— Corinth ; and as they neared each other 
and friends recognized friends, whom they had not seen 
for weeks or months, though separated but a few miles, 
greetings were exchanged, and as regiments met for the 
first time since leaving the bloody fields of Donelson and 
Shiloh, cheer after cheer resounded through the forests, 
and was echoed and re-echoed by the hills as if the earth 
itself desired to prolong the sound. 

"As no rain had fallen for some time, the roads were 
exceedingly dusty, as was the whole camping-ground, 
which had been trampled solid by eighty thousand rebels. 
But all forgot obstacles and annoyances in the eagerness 
to see the town before which they had lain so long. A 
little after eight o'clock, a portion of the left and centre 
filed in, and were met by Mr. Harrington, the Mayor's 
clerk, who asked protection for private property, and for 
such of the citizens as had determined to remain. It is 
needless to add that his request was granted, and guards 
stationed at every door, as the object of our march was, 
not to plunder, but to save." 

Corinth is built upon low lands and clay soil, so that 
in wet weather the place may very properly be denomi- 
nated a swamp ; but the soil is as easily affected by the 
drought as by rains. Just outside of the town are the 
ridges, which might be appropriately denominated hills, 
and upon which second, third, and fourth lines of defenses 
could have been erected. The highest lands are in the 
direction of Farmington on the east, and College Hill on 
the southwest. The town is situated at the junction of 
the Mobile and Ohio and the Memphis and Charleston 
railroads, both very important lines of communication, 
and indispensable to the enemy. The town is nearly all 
north of the Memphis and east of the Mobile road. Cor- 
inth was at one time a pleasant country village, of about 
twelve hundred inhabitants, and the houses were built in 
a style only used in the South. 

The rebel generals all had their head-quarters in houses 
during the siege, generally occupying the finest residences 
in the place. Beauregard's was on the east of the Purdy 



158 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

road, and at the outskirts of the village. The relbel chief- 
tain was evidently surrounded by all the comforts and 
luxuries of life. Telegraph wires ran in every direction 
from the building, but the wires were all cut, and the in- 
struments taken away. 



THE PURSUIT OF TIIE REBEL ARMY. 159 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE PURSUIT.— GENERAL GRANT'S WESTERN COMMAND. 

The pursuit. — Colonel Elliott's Cavalry. — Sheridan.— Sherman takes Holly Springs, 
— General Halleck called to Washington. — General Grant succeeds him in the 
Western command. — He takes care of disloyal citizens, editors, and the 
Gurrillas. — Guards the rights of loyal people. — The Contrabands.— -Refugees. 
— A rebel letter to General Grant. — West Point Generals in the war. — The 
position of the armies. — Their advance. — Iuka. — A bloody battle. — Victory. — 
Pursuit of the enemy. — Congratulations. — Effort to restore the former condition 
of things in the State. — General Bragg gets near the capital. 

The Union army pursued promptly the flying foe far 
down the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, through a difficult 
country much obstructed by the enemy. On the after- 
noon of the 30th of May, the forces, sent out on the night 
of May 28th to cut off the rebel retreat, reached Boones- 
yille, Missouri, and there destroyed the track, both north 
and south of the town, blew up one culvert, burned the 
depot, locomotives, and a train of twenty-six cars loaded 
with supplies, destroyed a quantity of arms, including 
artillery, clothing, and ammunition, besides taking a num- 
ber of prisoners who belonged to the rear of the retreat- 
ing forces. So desolated had the country become, that 
the pursuers had to live upon meat alone, such as they 
could find around them on their line of travel. Colonel 
Elliott, the commander of the cavalry, among whose offi- 
cers was the gallant Sheridan, then just entering upon 
his brilliant career as a cavalry chief, not having any 
wagons with him, could not collect food and forage : he, 
however, found a few sheep, which he devoted to the use 
of his followers ; but the flesh was very poor and tough. 
The prisoners he captured were mostly infantry, and find- 
ing that he would have very great difficulty in looking 
after them if he took them along with him, he merely dis- 
armed them and sent them about their business. 



160 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT. 



Plans were laid by the rebels- to cut off Colonel Elliott's 
command, on its return ; but he judiciously chose another 
road, and arrived safely at Tuscumbia, on June 1st, 1862. 
The route taken was by luka, Eastport, and Fulton, thence 
along the Tuscumbia and Jacinto road to Cartersville, 
thence to Padens and Boonesville, where the damage was 
principally inflicted on the rebels. The return was by the 
road to Tuscumbia. 

On the 9th of June, 1862, General Halleck reported that 
the rebels had fallen back fifty miles from Corinth, by the 
nearest railroad route, and seventy miles by the wagon- 
road, and that the estimated rebel loss, during the cam- 
paign near that place, was about forty thousand men. He 
also reported a state of demoralization existing in General 
Beauregard' s army, and that the prisoners taken in many 
cases begged that they should not be exchanged, as they 
had purposely allowed themselves to be captured. 

Holly Springs, Missouri, on the railroad from Jackson, 
Tennessee, to New Orleans, was taken possession of by 
General Sherman's forces on June 20th, 1862 ; and, to pre- 
vent surprise by the rebels, several pieces of trestle-work 
on the Mississippi Central Railroad were destroyed. The 
enemy, before evacuating the place, had removed their 
machinery, for the repairing and making of arms, to 
Atlanta, Georgia. 

The campaign in this part of the country having 
virtually ended, General Halleck was, on July 11, 1862, 
ordered to Washington, to assume the position of General 
in-Chief ; and, on the 17th, he took leave of his army in a 
farewell address, congratulating the officers and soldiers, 
for their endurance and bravery. 

The removal of General Halleck was followed by a re- 
organization of the troops in the West, and new depart- 
ments were created out of the original Department of the 
Mississippi. General Buell' s forces were formed into the 
Department of the Ohio, embracing the district of country 
north and east of the Tennessee River. Missouri was also 
made a distinct department. 

All the country from the Mississippi River to the west- 
ern shores of the Tennessee, Cairo, Forts Henry and 



GENERAL GRANT'S ORDER AGAINST REBEL TRADE. 161 



Donelson, the western shore of the Mississippi River, and 
the northern part of the State of Mississippi, became 
the "Department of West Tennessee." Of this, General 
Grant was made the commander, with his head- quarters 
at Corinth. 

Memphis, which had surrendered on June 6, 1862, 
soon after the evacuation of Corinth, was in this depart- 
ment, and was, by this time, a very important post, both 
as a base of operations and of supplies. General Grant, 
while commanding the district, visited the post, placing it 
under the jurisdiction of a provost-marshal. Among other 
orders, he issued the following, as it was necessary to pre- 
vent the co-operation between the latent rebels in that city 
with those in arms outside our lines : — 

Head-Quarters, District of "West Tennessee, j 
Office Provost-Maesiial-Geneeal, t 
Mempiiis, June 28, 1862. J 
# # % * * * 

Passes issued for persons to pass out of the city will be understood 
to mean the person alone, and will not include goods, letters, or pack- 
ages. 

Where letters are found on persons passing out, without being marked 
Passed by the provost-marshal, post-commander, or general-commanding, 
they will be seized and delivered to the provost-marshal, and the offender 
arrested. 

Powder, lead, percussion-caps, and fire-arms of all descriptions are 
positively prohibited from being carried out of the city by citizens. 
Citizens are also prohibited from carrying them within the city limits on 
pain of forfeiture of such weapons, and ten days' confinement, for the first 
offense, and expulsion south of our lines, to be treated as spies, if ever 
caught within them thereafter, for the second. 

By command of U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

The disloyal editors and speculators in conspiracy with 
the enemy at large took their turn, as will appear in the 
annexed spicy correspondence. It is paper warfare, in 
part, but, in General Grant's hands, made the traitors 
wince, and act like honest men : — 

Head-Quarters, District of West Tennessee, j 
Office Provost-Marshal-General, > 
Memphis, Tenn., July 1, 1862. » 

Messrs. Wills, Bingham & Co., Proprietors of the Memphis Avalanche : 
You will suspend the further publication of your paper. The spirit 
11 



102 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



with which it is conducted is regarded as both incendiary and treasonable, 
and its issue cannot longer be tolerated. 

This order will be strictly observed from the time of its reception. 

By command of U. S. Gkant, Major-General. 

Memphis, July 1, 1S62. 

Wm. S. Hilltee, Provost-Marshal- General: 

The Avalanche can continue by the withdrawal of the author of the 
obnoxious article under the caption of " Mischief Makers," and the editorial 
allusion to the same. TJ. S. Geant, Major- General. 

To orn Patkons. — For reasons apparent from the foregoing order, I 
withdraw from the official management of the Avalanche. Self-respect, 
and the spirit of true journalism forbid any longer attempt to edit a paper. 
I approved and endorsed the articles in question. Prudence forbids my 
saying more, and duty less, to the public. Jeptha Fowlees. 

For tlie lawless guerrillas, who were murdering and 
plundering around Memphis, General Grant had also a 
message : — 

Head-Quarters, District of West Tennessee, > 
Memphis, Tbnn., July 3, 1S62. J 

The system of guerrilla warfare now being prosecuted by some troops 
organized under authority of the so-called Southern Confederacy, and 
others without such authority, being so pernicious to the welfare, of the 
community where it is carried on, and it being within the power of the 
community to suppress this system, it is ordered that, wherever loss is sus- 
tained by the Government, collections shall be made, by seizure of a 
sufficient amount of personal property, from persons in the immediate 
neighborhood sympathising with the rebellion, to remunerate the Govern- 
ment for all loss and expense of the same. 

Persons acting as guerrillas without organization, and without uniform 
to distinguish them from private citizens, are not entitled to the treatment 
of prisoners of war when caught, and will not receive such treatment. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Geant, 

John A. Rawlins, A. A. G. 

Finding that the previous order had no effect upon the 
illicit traffic, General Grant had more positive commands 
issued, which greatly aided him in restoring the City of 
Memphis to order and loyalty :— 

District of West Tennessee, \ 

Office of the Provost-Marshal-General, > 

Memphis, Tenn., July 9, 1862. J 
# * * * * * 

All passes heretofore issued to citizens, either by the commanding- 



GENERAL GRANT AND REBEL SYMPATHIZERS. 163 



general, the provost-marshal-general, the provost-marshal of Memphis, 
or any other officer, which may have been issued without the party being 
required to take the oath of allegiance, or give the prescribed parole of 
honor, are hereby revoked. 

No pass will be granted, in any case hereafter, except upon the taking 
of the oath or parole. 

The parole will be substituted for the oath only in special cases (at the 
discretion of the officer authorized to grant passes), where the party lives 
beyond the protection of our army. 

By command of Major- General Grant. 

The next edict of military authority was demanded by 
the constant sympathy and aid extended to the rebel army 
by the conquered, but unsubdued, traitors at home — the 
great hindrance to the success of loyal arms from the 
beginning of the contest. The people, from the Gulf to 
Canada, and across the Atlantic, who, under our own and 
a foreign flag, have taken sides with treason against free- 
dom, are the most responsible, and therefore guilty of all 
connected with the murderous work. 

District of West Tennessee, » 
Office Provost-Marshal-General, > 
Memphis, July 10, 1802. » 

The constant communication between the so-called Confederate army 
and their friends and sympathizers in the City of Memphis, despite the 
orders heretofore issued, and the efforts to enforce them, induced the 
issuing of the following order : 

The families now residing in the City of Memphis, of the following per- 
sons, are required to move South, beyond the lines within five days of the 
date hereof: 

First ■-- All persons holding commissions in the so-called Confederate 
army, or who have voluntarily enlisted in said army, or who accompany 
and are connected with the same. 

Second— All persons holding office under or in the employ of the so- 
called Confederate Government. 

Third — All persons holding State, county, or municipal offices, who 
claim allegiance to said so-called Confederate Government, and who have 
abandoned their families, and gone South. 

Safe conduct will be given to the parties hereby required to leave, upon 
application to the provost-marshal of Memphis. 

By command of Major- General Geant. 

To guard the justly severe measure from any oppres- 



164 LIFE A1STD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

sive effect upon the innocent, General Grant added, the 
next day, the following modification : — 

District of "West Tennessee, 
Office of the Provost-Marsiial-General, 
Mempiiis, Tennessee, July 11, 1862. 

* * * sjs % if. 

In order that innocent, peaceable, and well-disposed persons may not 
suffer for the bad conduct of the guilty parties coming within the purview 
of Special Order, dated July 10, 1862, they can be relieved from the opera- 
tion of said order by signing the following parole, and producing to the 
provost-marshal-general, or the provost-marshal of Memphis, satisfactory 
guarantees that they will keep the pledge therein made : 

PAEOLE. 

First — I have not, since the occupation of the City of Memphis by the 
Federal army, given any aid to the so-called Confederate army, nor given 
or sent any information of the movements, strength, or position, of the 
Federal army to any one connected with said Confederate army. 

Second — I will not, during the occupancy of Memphis by the Federal 
army and my residing therein, oppose or conspire against the civil or 
military authority of the United States, and that I will not give aid, com- 
fort, information, or encouragement to the so-called Confederate army, nor 
to any person co-operating therewith. 

All of which I state and pledge upon my sacred honor. 

By command of Major- General Geant. 

The rninous system of guerrilla warfare continuing, 
and it being found almost impossible to stop the contra- 
band trade which, was being carried on through Memphis, 
in aid of the rebellion, General Grant appointed General 
Sherman to the command of that city, quite confident that 
he would soon check both operations. On the 21st of 
July, 1862, he entered upon the new official duties. 

The difficulty was soon discovered, and a remedy ap- 
plied, as the subjoined order intimates : 

IT. S. Military Telegraph, Corinth, July 26, 1862. 
To Brigade-General J. T. Quimey, Columbus, Kentucky : 

Geneeal : — Examine the baggage of all speculators coming South, and 
when they have specie turn them back. If medicine and other contraband 
articles, arrest them and confiscate the contraband articles. Jews should 
receive special attention. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 



General Grant was resolved to have the most stringent 



AEMY SPECULATORS AND GUERRILLAS. 



165 



measures enforced against all guerrillas and their agents ; 
and the following dispatch is an indication of the way in 
which his orders were carried out : — 

Trenton, Tennessee, July 29, 1862. 

Genekal: — The man who guided the rebels to the bridge that was 
burned was hung to-day. He had taken the oath. The houses of four 
others who aided have been burned to the ground. 

G. M. Dodge, Brigadier- General. 

On July 28th, General Grant ordered General Sherman 
to take possession of all unoccupied dwellings, manu- 
factories, and stores, within the City of Memphis, to hire 
them out, and to collect the rents for the United States 
Government, in all cases where the owners were absent 
and in arms against the United States. This plan was 
adopted to prevent the destruction and abuse of property, 
besides securing a revenue from the enemy to help pay 
the expenses of the war. 

A part of the hostile forces engaged at Corinth were 
afterward concentrated at Jackson, Mississippi, whence 
they were sent to Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, 
and other points along the Mississippi River, again to 
blockade the stream. On the 5th of August, a battle was 
fought at Baton Rouge. 

The large number of negroes who had found refuge 
within the Union lines were becoming a serious incubus 
upon the army, and it was decided to give them some 
useful employment. General Grant, in his own special 
department, issued the following order, relating to both 
the negro refugees and the Confiscation law, as passed by 
the Houses of Congress, and signed by the President : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of West Tennessee l 
Corinth, Missouri, August 11, 1862. ' 

The recent Act of Congress prohibits the army from returning fugi- 
tives from labor to their claimants, and authorizes the employment of such 
persons in the service of the Government. The following orders are 
therefore published for the guidance of the army in this matter: 

1. All fugitives thus employed must be registered ; the names of 
the fugitives and claimant given, and must be borne upon the morning 
report of the command in which they are kept, showing how they are em- 
ployed. 



166 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



2. Fugitives may be employed as laborers in the quartermaster's sub- 
sistence, and engineer's department ; and whenever, by such employment, 
a soldier may be saved to its ranks, they may be employed as teamsters 
and as company cooks, not exceeding four to a company, or as hospital 
attendants and nurses. Officers may employ them as private servants ; 
in which latter case, the fugitives will not be paid or rationed by the Gov- 
ernment. Negroes thus employed must be secured as authorized persons, 
and will be excluded from the camps. 

8. Officers and soldiers are positively prohibited from enticing slaves to 
leave their masters. "When it becomes necessary to employ this kind of 
labor, the commanding officer of the post or troops must send details, ail 
under the charge of a suitable commissioned officer, to press into service 
the slaves of persons to the number required. 

4. Citizens within reach of any military station, known to be dis- 
loyal and dangerous, may be ordered away or arrested, and their crops 
and stock taken for the benefit of the Government or the use of the 
army. 

5. All property taken from rebel owners must be duly reported and 
used for the benefit of the Government, and be issued to the troops through 
the proper department, and, when practicable, the act of taking should be 
accompanied by the written certificate of the officer so taking to the owner 
or agent of such property. 

It is enjoined on all commanders to see that this order is executed 
strictly under their own direction. The demoralization of troops subse- 
quent upon being left to execute laws in their own way, without a proper 
head, must be avoided. 

By command of Major-General Geant. 

General Grant intended to execute the laws according 
to their letter and spirit, but would allow no wholesale 
plunder within the limits of his department. 

Several itinerant refugees had taken advantage of the 
advance of the armies to visit places in the Southern 
States within the Union lines ; they had fled from their 
own States to avoid the enrollment ordered under the 
Conscription Act. These men were generally of a disrepu- 
table character, and made their living by following the 
army, robbing the soldiers, or trading with the rebels. 
General Grant, from his departmental head -quarters, sent 
forth his timely communication in their behalf : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of West Tennessee, ) 
Corinth, Missouri, August 16, 1S62. ' 

1. All non-residents of this department, found within the same, who, 

if at home, would be subject to draft, will at once be enrolled under the 



REFUGEE TRADERS. — A REBEL LETTER. 



167 



supervision of the local commanders where they may be found, and, in 
case of a draft being made by their respective States, an equal proportion 
will be drawn from persons thus enrolled. Persons so drawn will at once 
be assigned to troops from the States to which they owe military service, 
and the executive thereof notified of such draft. 

2. All violation of trade by army-followers may be punished by confis- 
cation of stock-in-trade, and the assignment of offenders to do duty as 
private soldiers. 

By order of Major-General II. S. Geant. 

There was very soon a thinning of the ranks of the 
worthless wanderers. 

A specimen of a rebel letter written about this time 
will show you how bitter was the hate of our enemies, 
and how demoniac their conduct. It is addressed to 
General Grant, on account of his proclamation respecting 
the guerrillas, threatening to confiscate rebel property in 
return for their ravages. The gentle missive was written 
on three leaves out of a memorandum-book, about four 
by three inches in size : — 

Sinatobia, July 16, 1S62. 

U. S. Geant : Sie : We have seen your infamous and fiendish procla- 
mation. It is characteristic of your infernal policy. We had hoped that 
this war would be conducted upon principles recognized by civilized 
nations. But you have seen fit to ignore all the rules of civilized warfare, 
and resort to means which ought to, and would, make half-civilized 
nations blush. If you attempt to carry out your threat against the pro- 
perty of citizens, we will make you rue the day you issued your dastardly 
proclamation. If we can't act upon the principle of lex talionis in regard 
to private property, we will visit summary vengeance upon your men. 
You call us guerrillas, which you know is false. We are recognized by our 
government, and it was us who attacked your wagon-train at Morning Sun. 
We have twenty-three men of yours, and as soon as you carry out your 
threat against the citizens of the vicinity of Morning Sun, your Hessians 
shall pay for it. You shall conduct this war upon proper principles. 

We intend to force you to do it. If you intend to make this a war of 
extermination, you will please inform us of it at the earliest convenience. 
We are ready, and more than willing, to raise the "black flag." There are 
two thousand partisans who have sworn to retaliate. If you do not re- 
tract your proclamation, you may expect to have scenes of the most 
bloody character. We all remember the manner in which your vandal 
soldiers put to death Mr. Owens, of Missouri. Henceforth our motto 
shall be, Blood for blood, and blood for property. We intend, by the help 
of God, to hang on the outskirts of your rabble, like lightning around 



168 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the edge of a cloud. We don't intend this as a threat, but simply as a 
warning of what we intend to do, in case you pursue your disgraceful and 
nefarious policy toward our citizens, as marked out in your threat of 
recent date. 

Respectfully, 

Geo. R. Mereitt. 

The active business-life of the North had, previous to 
the civil war, demanded so largely our young men, that 
the majority of cadets in the Military Academy at West 
Point were from the South ; and, for the same reason, the 
largest number of commanders in the army and navy were 
of Southern origin or associations. 

It was therefore truly, though boastfully, stated by a 
rebel writer, after the battle of Shiloh, that, 6 £ of the West 
Point graduates, who are officers in the armies of the 
United States and Confederate States, it appears that there 
are in the United States army seventeen major-generals 
and twenty-four brigadier-generals ; in the Confederate 
States army, live generals (beside A. S. Johnson, killed at 
Shiloh), eighteen major-generals, forty-one brigadier-gen- 
erals. From this list, which ends with 1848, it appears 
that we have sixty-four generals from West Point in our 
army, while the United States have but forty-one. It was 
no idle or unmeaning boast of President Davis that he had 
the pick and choice of the officers of the old army. Not- 
withstanding the frequent flings at West Pointers, we may 
yet And it a cause of congratulation that we had at the 
head of our Government one who was educated at West 
Point himself, but who, by his service in the army and in 
the War Department, was thoroughly acquainted with the 
military talent of all the United States officers." 

Here we may pause, and see how the combatants stand. 
The Mississippi is clear to Memphis, and at the mouth ; 
for Butler, who knew so well how to deal with rebels, is 
at New Orleans. 

The forces defeated by Halleck and Grant had gone to 
Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and Baton Rouge, and other 
points on the Mississippi, to blockade and hold that great 
thoroughfare of trade in the valley of the West. 

Although, during the summer months, there was a lull 



THE POSITION OF THE ARMIES. 



169 



in the wide arena of the Western conflict, neither army 
was idle. Major-General Buell's forces were east of 
Memphis, not far from Huntsville in Alabama, with Chat- 
tanooga for his coveted prize. For this, he left Corinth in 
June. Major-General Curtis was west of the Mississippi, 
at Helena, Arkansas. Brigadier-General Schofield was 
north of him, in Southwestern Missouri ; while General 
Grant, with the central army, was on the line of West 
Tennessee, and North Mississippi, between Memphis and 
Iuka, protecting the railroads south from Columbus, our 
only channels of supply. 

As far as actual fighting was concerned, from June to 
September, 1862, General Grant's department was particu- 
larly quiet. Skirmishes would occasionally take place 
between guerrillas and the troops occupying small dis- 
tricts, as at Bolivar, on August 30th, and at the Medon 
Station of the Mississippi Central Railroad, on August 
31st. In every instance the rebels were routed, because 
the vigilant commander had not overlooked the defenses 
of these posts. 

The mighty sweep of these combined armies was 
around and across a territory six hundred miles in width, 
from Western Arkansas to the Cumberland Gap, and 
more than one hundred and fifty miles in the other direc- 
tion. From this area the enemy had been recently driven. 
The foe, greatly re-enforced by conscription, while we 
were weakened by losses, had formed magnificent plans 
of conquest. The grand programme was to reoccupy the 
lost ground back to Kentucky, and then roll their tide of 
invasion, like the Goths and Huns of old, over the bor- 
ders of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Raids into Maryland 
and Pennsylvania, with Indian troubles at the West, were 
to furnish a most auspicious time for the sublimely daring- 
advance through the valley of the West. 

General Braxton Bragg, of the rebel army, opened the 
gigantic enterprise finely. Hastening from Tripoli, Mis- 
sissippi, through Alabama and Georgia, he reached Chat- 
tanooga, by nature a stronghold, ahead of Buell, who fell 
back to Nashville, Tennessee. Another hostile column 
had got into Cumberland Gap, and looked menacingly 



170 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT. 



toward Cincinnati. Meanwhile the President had, wisely, 
and just in season, issued another call for troops. Oh, 
how wildly the great Northwest echoed back the appeal ! 
Her sons went streaming down like the rivers, in living 
tides, toward the seat of war. Cincinnati and Louisville 
were soon fortified. 

September 5th, while the general advance of the rebel 
army was in progress, General Bragg published an order, 
dated at Sparta, in the southern part of Alabama, to 
deceive the Union generals in regard to his whereabouts, 
while at the same moment he was at Chattanooga, Ten- 
nessee, preparing for a flank movement through East Ten- 
nessee and Kentucky to the Ohio River. The trick seems 
to have succeeded with the commander of the Army of the 
Ohio, but did not impose upon General Grant. He was 
found, and General Buell sent after him with one hundred 
thousand men. 

At Perryville a severe battle was fought, and the ene- 
my routed. Bragg had hoped to swing, by a flank move- 
ment, around Grant, to the Ohio River ; Corinth lying 
nearly in a direct westerly line from Chattanooga. It was 
ascertained that Generals Van Dorn and Price were ad- 
vancing toward our camp at Jacinto, which was at once 
removed, to prepare for the greater conflict impending. 

September 18th, soon after break of day, in a drench- 
ing rain, and through mud, the uncomplaining volunteers 
moved toward the enemy ; Generals Grant and Ord ap- 
proaching Iuka from the north, and General Rosecrans 
from the south. The position of the rebel army cut off 
communication between Generals Grant and Buell, and at 
any cost it must be routed. Price, finding that the Union 
lines were likely to close around him, left the town, and 
fell on Rosecrans, with desperate fury, at four o'clock p. m. 
Till the sun went down, darkened with the "sulphurous 
canopy," bullets and steel, cannon and shell did their 
work well. From the long ridge, commanding a large 
extent of the country around, the rebels rained down de- 
struction, till one-third of our troops were killed or 
wounded. 

The careful system of reconnoissance adopted in Gen- 



A FIGHT WITH GENERAL PRICE. 



171 



eral Grant's army made the commander of the Depart- 
ment of West Tennessee, and his subordinate general 
officers, fully aware of the approach of the rebels upon 
their lines long before the actual attack took place. Even 
as early as September 10, 1862, it was known that General 
Sterling Price, at the head of a far superior force of rebel 
troops, was marching upon the little camp at Jacinto, 
Tishamingo County, Mississippi. Orders were, of course, 
quickly given to break up this camp, and take the wagon 
trains to the defenses at Corinth. The men who were 
ordered to remain behind were thereby compelled to sleep 
on their arms, and in the open air, for several nights. 

On September 17th, a general advance was ordered 
by General Grant, and, at four o'clock on the morning 
of September 18th, the regiments from Corinth and Jacinto 
were pushing toward Iuka, where General Price had 
concentrated his forces. The march of the Union troops 
was made amid a drenching rain, and along muddy roads, 
advancing upon the place by different routes ; the force 
under General Posecrans, known as the Army of the Mis- 
sissippi, moving along the road from the south, while that 
under Generals Grant and Ord approached the town from 
the north, via Burns ville. 

At daybreak, on the morning of September 19th, the 
inarch was renewed, and the advance of General Hamil- 
ton's Division encountered the rebel pickets at Barnett's 
Corners, on the road to Iuka. After a sharp skirmish, the 
pickets were driven six miles toward that town, losing 
slightly in killed and prisoners. The division again push- 
ed forward, until within two miles of Iuka, where they 
were received with a hot fire of musketry from the rebels, 
who were posted on the ridge which commanded the coun- 
try for several miles around. The engagement soon be- 
came general on this part of the line, and lasted until 
dark, when the men threw themselves down on their 
arms, to snatch the rest needed to renew the struggle on 
the morrow. The contest had been very sanguinary and 
fierce while it lasted, nearly one-third of the Union forces 
engaged being placed hors cle combat. 

During the night General Price evacuated the town, 



172 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and in the morning General Rosecrans's troops entered 
Iuka from the south, and hastened after the flying 
rebels. Shortly after, the forces under Generals Grant 
and Ord arrived by the northern route. As the intention 
of General Grant was to cut off Price's retreat by that 
road, and he had chosen another toward the east, this 
part of the army was not engaged, although its position 
contributed toward forcing the enemy to evacuate the 
place. 

The following extracts from a private letter of a rebel 
to a friend, under date of September 24, 1862, present a 
graphic view from the enemy's side : — 

"We held peaceable possession of Iuka for one day, 
and on the next were alarmed by the booming of cannon, 
and were called out to spend the evening in battle array 
in the woods. On the evening of the 19th, when we sup- 
posed we were going back to camp, to rest awhile, the 
sharp crack of musketry on the right of our former lines 
told us that the enemy was much nearer than we ima- 
gined. In fact, they had almost penetrated the town it- 
self. How on earth, with the woods full of our cavalry, 
they could have approached so near our lines, is a mys- 
tery. They had planted a battery sufficiently near to 
shell General Price's head-quarters, and were cracking 
away at the Third Brigade when the Fourth came up, 
at double-quick ; and then, for two hours and fifteen 
minutes, was kept up the most terrific fire of musketry 
that ever dinned my ears. There was one continuous 
roar of small-arms, while grape and canister howled 
in fearful concert above our heads and through our 
ranks. General Little was shot dead early in the action. 
* * * * It was a terrible struggle, and we lost heavily. 
All night could be heard the groans of the wounded and 
dying, forming a sequel of horror and agony to the deadly 
struggle, over which night had kindly thrown its mantle. 
Saddest of all, our dead were left unburied, and many of 
the wounded on the battle-field to be taken in charge by 
the enemy. 

" Finding that the enemy were being re-enforced from 
the north, and as our strength would not justify us in 



A REBEL VIEW OF THE AFFxilR AT IUKA. 



173 



trying another battle, a retreat was ordered, and we left 
the town during the night. The enemy pressed our rear 
the next day, and were only kept off by grape and can- 
ister. 

"It grieves me to state that acts of vandalism, dis- 
graceful to any army, were, however, perpetrated along 
the line of retreat, and makes me blush to own such men 
as my countrymen. Corn-fields were laid waste, potato- 
patches robbed, barn-yards and smoke-houses despoiled, 
hogs killed, and all kind of outrages perpetrated in broad 
daylight, and in full view of the officers. The advance 
and retreat were alike disgraceful, and I have no doubt 
that women and children along the route will cry for the 
bread which has been rudely taken from them by those 
who should have protected and defended them." 

The Army of the Mississippi bore the brunt of the 
fight, but the combinations caused the evacuation of the 
town. On the morning of the 20th of September, 1862, 
General Grant sent the following dispatch to the general- 
imchief at Washington : — 

Iuka, Miss., September 20, 1862. 
To Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

General Rosecrans, with Stanley's and Hamilton's Divisions and Mise- 
ner's Cavalry, attacked Price south of this village, about two hours before 
dark, yesterday, and had a sharp fight until night closed in. General 
Ord was to the south with an armed force of about five thousand men, and 
had some skirmishing with the rebel pickets. This morning the fight was 
renewed by General Rosecrans, who was nearest to the town ; but it 
was found that the enemy had been evacuating during the night, going 
south. Generals Hamilton and Stanley, with cavalry, are in full pur- 
suit. 

This will, no doubt, break up the enemy, and possibly force them to 
abandon much of their artillery. The loss on either side, in killed and 
wounded, is from four hundred to five hundred. The enemy's loss in arms, 
tents, &c, will be large. We have about two hundred and fifty pris- 
oners. 

I have reliable intelligence that it was Price's intention to move over 
east of the Tennessee. In this he has been thwarted. Among the 
enemy's loss are General Little, killed, and General Whitefield, wounded. 

I cannot speak too highly of the energy and skill displayed by General 
Eosecrans in the attack, and of the endurance of the troops. General 
Ord's command showed untiring zeal; but the direction taken by the 



174 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



enemy prevented them from taking the active part they desired. Price's 
force was about eighteen thousand. 

U. S. Gkant, Major-General. 

The examination of the field, after the first excitement 
of the battle was over, showed a still more favorable re- 
sult for the Union forces, as will be seen by the following 
dispatch : — 

Head-Qttarters, Corinth, September 22, 1862. 

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

In my dispatch of the 20th our loss was over-estimated, and the 
rebel loss under-estimated. We found two hundred and sixty-one of 
them dead upon the field, while our loss in killed will be less than one 
hundred. 

U. S. Grant, Major- General. 

General Grant, on the same day he sent the dispatch, 
complimented his officers and men upon their bravery, not 
forgetting those who fell in the conflict : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of West Tennessee, | 
Corinth, September 22, 1862. Y 

The General Commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the 
two wings of the army, commanded respectively by Major-General Ord 
and Major-General Rosecrans, upon the energy, alacrity, and bravery 
displayed by them on the 19th and 20th insts., in their movement against 
the enemy at Iuka. Although the enemy was in numbers reputed far 
greater than their own, nothing was evinced by the troops but a burn- 
ing desire to meet him, whatever his numbers, and hoAvever strong his 
position. 

With such a disposition as was manifested by the troops on this occasion, 
their commanders need never fear defeat against any thing but overwhelm- 
ing numbers. 

While it was the fortune of the command of General Rosecrans, on the 
evening of the 19th inst., to engage the enemy in a most spirited flight for 
more than two hours, driving him with great loss from his position, and 
winning for themselves fresh laurels, the command of General Ord is enti- 
tled to equal credit for their efforts in trying to reach the enemy, and in 
diverting his attention. 

And while congratulating the noble living, it is meet to offer our condo- 
lence to the friends of the heroic dead, who offered their lives a sacrifice in 
defense of constitutional liberty, and in their fall rendered memorable the 
field of Iuka, 

By command of 

Major-General U. S, Grant. 



CONCENTRATION OF HOSTILE TROOPS. 175 

General Bragg' s forces were all this time pushing for- 
ward toward the Ohio River, and General Grant moved 
his head- quarters to a more central position. He selected 
Jackson, Tennessee, placing the commander of the Army 
of the Mississippi in local command at Corinth. 

The rebel forces which had retreated from luka were 
next concentrated near Ripley, Tippah County, Missis- 
sippi, and southwest of Corinth, at which point they were 
joined by those under Generals Van Born and Lovell. 
Price' s forces, in retreating from luka, countermarched at 
a point several miles south of the Union position, crossed 
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad in the vicinity of Bald- 
wyn, Tup ello, &c. , and were able to form a junction with 
the troops under the before-mentioned generals, com- 
bining all the available rebel forces in North Mississippi. 
The intention of the enemy was to retake Corinth at all 
hazards, at least to break the line of communications, and 
force a retreat. 

General Grant, advised of these facts, so arranged his 
forces that if the rebels were driven from Corinth — and he 
had no doubt they would be— they should not escape 
without severe punishment. 

Cavalry scouts were sent out in all directions, and 
demonstrated the fact that the rebels were, on October 1, 
1862, moving from Ripley, ma Buckersville, upon Corinth, 
while the main army was at Pocahontas. The question 
then was, where did they intend to strike the principal 
blow, as they were situated in such a position that they 
could attack with equal ease either of the posts at Bethel, 
Bolivar, Corinth, or Jackson. In fact, they held the cen- 
ter of the base of the irregular triangle which had Jackson 
for its apex and Corinth for its right-hand corner. 

General Grant was master of the situation, and it mat- 
tered little at what point the rebels struck, as he could 
move his forces to support the position attacked — so ad- 
mirably were they arranged within available reach of each 
other. General Ord held the position at Bolivar, General 
Hurlburt was stationed nearer Pocahontas, General Rose- 
crans was at Corinth, and General Grant at Jackson. It 
will be seen, by reference to the map, that the rebels 



176 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



were hemmed in by the triangular lines of the Union 
army, except on the south. 

On the 4th of October, the enemy made a determined 
and vigorous attack upon the works at Corinth, and the 
most obstinate fighting ensned. General Grant was in 
constant telegraphic communication with General Rose- 
crans, during the attack, and also with his other generals. 
He could move his forces to meet the manceuvering of 
the enemy. 

October 2d, skirmishing began before Corinth. Briga- 
dier-Generals Hamilton, McKean, Davies, and Stanley, 
were within its walls, with Rosecrans. 

On the 3d the contest was fairly opened. General 
Grant, with his eye on the field, was directing the 
whole machinery of the opening struggle. General Mc- 
Pherson, at Jackson, was ordered to join, with a brigade, 
General Rosecrans ; while General Hurlburt, with other 
forces, was marching to cut off retreat by way of Poca- 
hontas. 

Noon came, and thunder, smoke, hissing shot, scream- 
ing shell, yelling combatants, and the shouts of command, 
were the signs of the terrible strife. 

The sun sank toward the west, flinging his golden 
beams over the rich autumnal landscape, and on the 
surging columns of the foemen, on both sides equally un- 
yielding. For many miles the heavy roar of the artillery 
swelled with strange distinctness, as the twilight stillness 
stole upon the bosom of nature. Then, darkness hung a 
veil between the fiery eyes of the grappling brethren of a 
common heritage, and they relaxed the bloody grasp, and 
lay down in weariness on their arms to sleep. 

The next morning's light kindled upon the uprisen 
hosts among the dead and wounded, in battle arra}^. 
Back and forth the swaying masses of armed men moved 
in the darkened atmosphere, till noon. Then the rebel 
ranks fell back : the die was cast. 

The struggle had been a fierce and sanguinary one, 
and bravely did the garrison defend the position. The 
rebels had even forced their way into the town, and 
severe fighting took place in the streets ; but they were 



THE STRUGGLE BEFORE CORINTH. 



177 



driven out of Corinth, and their broken fragments chased 
into the woods. 

The victory had, however, cost the Union army dearly, 
as may be seen from the following brief dispatch from 
General Grant to the general-in-chief : — 

Grant's Head -Quarters, Jackson, Tenn., October 5—8 a.m. 

To Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief IT. S. A. : 

Yesterday the rebels under Price, Van Dorn, and Lovell, were repulsed 

from their attack on Corinth with great slaughter. 

The enemy are in full retreat, leaving their dead and wounded on the 

field. 

Rosecrans telegraphs that the loss is serious on our side, particularly in 
officers, but bears no comparison with that of the enemy. 

General Hackleman fell while gallantly leading his brigade. 
General Oglesby is dangerously wounded. 

General McPherson, with his command, reached Corinth yesterday. 

General Rosecrans pursued the retreating enemy this morning; and, 
should they attempt to move toward Bolivar, will follow to that place. 

General Hurlburt is at the Hatchie River, with five or six thousand men, 
and is no doubt with the pursuing column. 

From seven hundred to a thousand prisoners, besides the wounded, are 
left in our hands. 

TJ. S. Geant, Major-General Commanding. 

According to the above dispatch, General Rosecrans 
pursued the enemy, on the morning of the 5th of October, 
and pushed them toward the Hatchie River. General 
Hurlburt, who had moved forward to that position along 
the line of railroad from Grand Junction, had already, on 
the previous day, driven in the rebel videttes, but his 
advance had been somewhat disputed during the night. 
General Hurlburt was, on the morning of October 5th, 
joined by General Ord's forces from Bolivar. General 
Ord assumed command ; but finding General Hurlburt had 
made excellent arrangements for the advance, he followed 
out the same plan. The road, narrow and winding, 
through swamps and over precipitous ridges, across 
which the guns were with great labor dragged by 
hand, made the advance more than ordinarily dan- 
gerous in the face of the enemy, especially as the 
retreating forces from Corinth were likely soon to be 
joined with the others in the front. The rebels made 
12 



178 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



use of every advantage the country gave them, using 
the swamps and jungles for their infantry, and the ridges 
for their artillery ; but so heroic and impetuous was the 
attack of the forces under Generals Ord and Hurlburt, 
that the enemy was driven for five miles to, and across 
the Hatchie, and up the heights beyond. 

The following dispatch from General Grant announces 
the victory on the Hatchie : — 

Grant's Head-Qttarters, Jackson, Tenn., October 5, 1862. 
To Major-General H. W. Halleck, General-in-Chief U. S. A. : 

General Ord, who followed General Hurlburt, met the enemy to-day on 
the south side of the Hatchie, as I understand from a dispatch, and drove 
them across the stream, and got possession of the heights with our troops. 

General Ord took two batteries and about two hundred prisoners. 

A large portion of General Rosecrans's forces were at Chevalla. 

At this distance every thing looks most favorable, and I cannot see 
how the enemy are to escape without losing every thing but their small- 
arms. 

I have strained every thing to take into the fight an adequate force, and 
to get them to the right place. 

U. S. Grant, Major-General Commanding. 

The union of General McPherson 5 s forces with those at 
Corinth enabled General Kosecrans to continue vigorous- 
ly the pursuit of the enemy, and about noon on the 6th 
of October General Grant sent the following dispatch, 
which announces the rout of the rebels on every side :— 

Head-Quarters of General Grant, ) 
Jackson, Tenn., 12 : 20 p. m., October 6, 1862. f 

To Major-General Halleok, General-in-Chief: 

Generals Ord and Hurlburt came upon the enemy yesterday, and, Gen- 
eral Hurlburt having driven in small bodies of the rebels the day before, 
after seven hours hard fighting, drove the enemy five miles back across the 
Hatchie toward Corinth, capturing two batteries, about three hundred 
prisoners, and many small arms. 

I immediately apprised General Rosecrans of these facts, and directed 
him to urge on the good work. The following dispatch has just been re- 
ceived from him: 

Chevalla, October 6, 1862. 

To Major-General Gkant: 

The enemy is totally routed, throwing every thing away. We are fol- 
lowing sharply. 

W. S. Roseceans, Major-General. 



THE VICTORY ON THE HATCHIE. 



179 



Under previous instructions, General Hurlburt is also following. Gen- 
eral McPherson is in the lead of General Rosecrans's column. The rebel 
General Martin is said to be killed. 

TJ. S. Geaxt, Major-General Commanding. 

It was a disastrous repulse to the enemy. The ac- 
counts published in the Southern newspapers indicated a 
heavy loss, and that they failed in accomplishing the oh- 
ject of their movement — the capture of Corinth. But the 
same journals endeavored to console themselves and the 
people with the idea that General Grant had, at least, 
"been prevented from sending re-enforcements to the aid 
of General BuelL who was then about to engage the rebel 
forces under General Bragg, 

The following is the congratulatory order of General 
Grant to his troops relative to this campaign : — 

Head-Qfaetees, Depaetjie>-t of West Tennessee, | 
Jackson, Texn-essee, October 7, 1S62. f 

It is with heartfelt gratitude the general commanding congratulates the 

armies of the West for another great victory won by them on the 3d, 4th, 

and 5th instants, over the combined armies of Van Dorn. Price, and 

LovelL 

The enemy chose his own time and place of attack, and knowing the 
troops of the West as he does, and with great facilities for knowing their 
numbers, never would have made the attempt except with a superior 
force numerically. But for the undaunted bravery of officers and soldiers, 
who have yet to learn defeat, the efforts of the enemy must have proved 
successful. 

While one division of the army, under Major-General Rosecrans, was 
resisting and repelling the onslaught of the rebel hosts at Corinth, another, 
from Bolivar, under Major-General Hurlburt, was marching upon the ene- 
my's rear, driving in their pickets and cavalry, and attracting the attention 
of a large force of infantry and artillery. On the following day, under 
Major-General Ord, these forces advanced with unsurpassed gallantry, 
driving the enemy back across the Hatchie, over ground where it is almost 
incredible that a superior force should be driven by an inferior, capturing 
two of the batteries (eight guns), many hundred small-arms, and several 
hundred prisoners. 

To those two divisions of the army all praise is due, and will be awarded 
by a grateful country. 

Between them there should be, and I trust are, the warmest bonds of 
brotherhood. Each was risking life in the same cause, and, on this occa- 
sion, risking it also to save and assist the other. No troops could do more 
than these separate armies. Each did all possible for it to do in the places 
assigned it. 



180 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



As in all great battles, so in this, it becomes our fate to mourn the loss 
of many brave and faithful officers and soldiers, who have given up their 
lives as a sacrifice for a great principle. The nation mourns for them. 

By command of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

President Lincoln, upon receiving the intelligence from 
General Grant announcing the victories at Corinth and on 
the Hatchie, dispatched to him the following congratula- 
tions and inquiries : — 

Washington, D. C, October 8, 1862. 

Major-General Geant: 

I congratulate you and all concerned in your recent battles and vic- 
tories. How does it all sum up ? I especially regret the death of General 
Hackleman, and am very anxious to know the condition of General Oglesby, 
who is an intimate personal friend. 

A. Lincoln. 

The rebel forces of General Bragg were by this time 
in full retreat from the Ohio River, and were being pur- 
sued by the Army of the Ohio. 

Skirmishes with guerrillas occurred occasionally within 
General Grant' s lines ; but otherwise this department was 
once more quiet. 

On the 16th of October, 1862, it was designated as the 
Department of the Tennessee, and was further extended 
so as to embrace the State of Mississippi as far as Yicks- 
burg. General Rosecrans was shortly after made com- 
mander of the Army of the Ohio, in the place of General 
Buell. The combined troops under General Grant were 
now known as the Thirteenth Army Corps. 

The victories of General Grant' s forces were supposed, 
in Washington, to have had a beneficial effect upon the 
people of Tennessee ; and, to aid them in resuming their 
own government under the auspices of the United States, 
the following document was sent to General Grant : — 

Executive Mansion, Washington, October 21, 1S62. 

Major-General Geant, Governor Johnsox, and all having Military, Naval, 
and Civil Authority under the United States within the State of Ten- 
nessee : 

The bearer of this, Thomas R. Smith, a citizen of Tennessee, goes to 
that State, seeking to have such of the people thereof as desire to avoid 



LOYALTY IN TENNESSEE. 



181 



the unsatisfactory prospect before them, and to have peace again upon the 
old terms under the Constitution of the United States, to manifest such 
desire by elections of members to the Congress of the United States par- 
ticularly, and perhaps a Legislature, State officers, and a United States 
Senator friendly to their object. I shall be glad for you and each of 
you to aid him, and all others acting for this object, as much as possible. 
In all available ways give the people a chance to express their wishes at 
these elections. Follow law, and forms of law, as far as convenient ; but, 
at all events, get the expression of the largest number of the people possi- 
ble. All see how much such action will connect with and affect the 
proclamation of September 22d. Of course, the men elected should be 
gentlemen of character, willing to swear support to the Constitution as of 
old, and known to be above reasonable suspicion of duplicity. 

Yours, very respectfully, A. Lincoln. 

We smile at the talk, then, of " peace again upon the 
old terms, under the Constitution." The good President 
had much to learn of the true character of the war, and 
the will of the King of kings in regard to the struggle then 
-scarcely begun, in its connection with slavery, the bitter 
cause of the war. To prevent any practical result from 
the President's message to General Grant and the State 
authorities, General Bragg moved his forces to within 
striking distance of Nashville. 

General Grant' s report, of October 22d, presents a clear 
record of his plans and successes : — 

Head-Quarters District "West Tennessee, { 
Jackson, Tenn., October 22, 1862. > 

Colonel J. C. Kelton, A. A.-G-., Washington, D. C. : — 

Colonel: — I have the honor to make the following report of the battle 
of Iuka, and to submit herewith such reports of subordinates as have been 
received. 

For some ten days or more before the final move of the rebel army 
under General Price, eastward from the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, it was 
evident that an attack upon Corinth was contemplated, or some change to 
be made in the location of that army. This caused great vigilance to be 
necessary on the part of our cavalry, especially that to the southern front 
under Colonel Mizner. The labor of watching, with occasional skirmishing, 
was most satisfactorily performed, and almost every move of the enemy was 
known as soon as commenced. 

About the 11th of September, Price left the railroad, the infantry and 
artillery probably moving from Baldwin, and the cavalry from the roads 
north of Baldwin, toward Bay Springs. At the latter place a halt of a few 



1S2 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



days seems to have been made ; likely for the purpose of collecting stores, 
and reconnoitering on the eastern flank. On the 13th of September, the 
enemy's cavalry made their appearance near Iuka, and were repulsed by the 
small garrison under Colonel Murphy, of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, 
still left there to cover the removal of stores not yet brought into Corinth. 
The enemy appearing again in increased force on the same day, and having 
cut the railroad and telegraph between there and Burnsville, Colonel 
Murphy thought it prudent to retire to save his forces. 

This caused a considerable amount of commissary stores to fall into the 
hands of the enemy, which property should have been destroyed. Price's 
whole force soon congregated at Iuka. 

Information brought in by scouts, as to the intention of the enemy, was 
conflicting. One report was, that Price wanted to cross Bear Creek and 
the Tennessee River, for the purpose of crossing Tennessee and getting into 
Kentucky. Another, that Van Dora was to march by way of Ripley and 
attack us on the southwest, while Price should move on us from the east or 
northwest. A third, that Price would endeavor to cross the Tennessee, 
and. if pursuit was attempted. Van Dorn was in readiness to attack 
Corinth. 

Having satisfied myself that Van Dorn could not reach Corinth under 
four days, with an army embracing all arms, I determined to leave Corinth 
with a force sufficient to resist cavalry, and to attack Price at Iuka. This I 
regarded as eminently my duty, let either of the enemy's plans be the 
correct solution. Accordingly, on the 16th, I gave some general directions 
as to the plan of operations. 

General Rosecrans was to move on the south side of the railroad to 
opposite Iuka, and attack from that side with all his available force, after 
leaving a sufficient force at Rienzi and Jacinto, to prevent the surprise on 
Corinth from that direction. 

Major-General Ord was to move to Burnsville, and from there take 
roads north of the railroad and attack from that side. General Ord having 
to leave from his two divisions, already very much reduced in numbers, 
from long-continued service and the number of battles they had been in, the 
garrison at Corinth ; he also had one regiment of infantry and a squadron 
of cavalry at Kossuth, one regiment of infantry and one company of cavalry 
at Cheuvall, and one regiment of infantry that moved, under Colonel Mower, 
and joined General Rosecrans's command, reduced the number of men of 
his command, available to the expedition, to about thirty thousand. 

I had previously ordered the infantry of General Ross's command at Boli- 
var to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's warning ; had 
also directed the concentration of cars at Jackson, to move these troops. 

TVithin twenty-four hours from the time a dispatch left Corinth for 
those troops to "come on." 1 they had arrived — three thousand four hundred 
in number. This, notwithstanding the locomotive was thrown off the track 
on the Mississippi Central Road, preventing the passage of other trains for 
several hours. This force was added to General Ord's command, making 
his entire strength over six thousand to take into the field. From this force 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



183 



two regiments of infantry and one section of artillery were taken, about 
nine hundred men, for the garrison or rear guard, to be held at Burnsville. 
Not having General Ord's report, these figures may not be accurate. Gen- 
eral Rosecrans was moving from Jacinto eastward, with about nine thou- 
sand men, making my total force, with which to attack the enemy, about 
fifteen thousand. This was equal to or greater than their number, as I 
estimated them. 

General Rosecrans, at his suggestion, acquiesced in by me, was to move 
northward from his eastern march in two columns—one, under Hamilton, 
was to move up the Fulton and Eastport road ; the other, under Stanley, on 
the Jacinto road from Barnett's. 

On the 18th, General Ord's command was pushed forward, driving in 
the enemy's pickets and capturing a few prisoners, taking position within 
six miles of Iuka. I expected, from the following dispatch, that General 
Rosecrans would be near enough by the night of the 18th to make it safe 
for Ord to press forward on the morning of the 19th, and bring on an 
engagement : 

"September 18, 1S62. 

" To General Grant : — 

" One of my spies, in from Reardon's, on the Bay Spring Road, tells of a 
continuous movement, since last Friday, of forces eastward. They say Van 
Dorn is to defend Vicksburg, Breckinridge to make his way to Kentucky, 
Price to attack Iuka or go to Tennessee. If Price's forces are at Iuka, the 
plan I propose is, to move up as close as we can to-night, conceal our move- 
ments ; Ord to advance from Burnsville, commence the attack, and draw 
their attention that way, while I move in on the Jacinto and Fulton road, 
and, crushing in their left, cut off their retreat eastward. 

"I propose to leave, in ten minutes, for Jacinto, whence I will dispatch 
you by line of vedettes to Burnsville. Will wait a few minutes to hear 
from you before I start. What news from Burnsville? 

"Signed, W. S. Rosecrans, Brigadier- General." 

To which I sent the following reply : 

" Head-Quarters District West Tennessee, ) 
Burnsville, Miss., September IS, 1862. ) 

" General Rosecrans : — 

" General Ross's command is at this place, McArthur's division is north of 
the road, two miles to the rear, and Davis's division south of the road, north. 
I sent forward two regiments of infantry, with cavalry, by the road north 
of the railroad toward Iuka, with instructions for them to bivouac for the 
night at a point, which was designated, about four miles from here, if not 
interrupted, and have the cavalry feel where the enemy are. Before they 
reached the point on the road (you will see it on the map-— the road north 
of the railroad), they met what was supposed to be Armstrong's cavalry. 
The rebel cavalry were forced back, and I sent instructions there to have 
them stop for the night where they thought they could safely hold. 

"In the morning troops will advance from here at half-past four a. m. 



184 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



An anonymous dispatch, just received, states that Price, Magruder, and 
Breckinridge have a force of sixty thousand between Iuka and Tupelo. 
This, I have no doubt, is the understanding of citizens ; but I very much 
doubt this information being correct. Your reconnoissances prove that 
there is but little force south of Corinth for a long distance, and no great 
force between Bay Spring and the railroad. Make as rapid an advance as 
you can, and let us do to-morrow all we can. It may be necessary to fall 
back the day following. I look upon the showing of a cavalry force so 
near us as an indication of a retreat, and they a force to cover it. 

" Signed: U. S. Grant, Major-General." 

After midnight the following dispatch was received : — 

" Head-Quaetees Excampmext, September IS, 1S62. 

"General: — Your dispatch received. General Stanley's division arrived 
after dark, having been detained by falling in the rear of Ross through fault 
of guide. Our cavalry six miles this side of Burnett's ; Hamilton's first 
brigade eight, second brigade nine miles this side; Stanley's near Daven- 
port Mills. "We shall move as early as practicable ; say half-past four a. m. 
This will give twenty miles march for Stanley to Iuka. Shall not, therefore, 
be in before one or t wo o'clock, but when we come in will endeavor to do 
it strongly. 

"Signed: IV. S. Rosecrans, Brigadier-General TJ. S. A." 

Receiving this dispatch, as I did, late at night, and when I supposed 
these troops were far on their way toward Iuka, and had made my plans 
accordingly, caused some disappointment, and made a change of plans ne- 
cessary. I immediately dispatched General Ord. giving him the substance 
of the above, and directions not to move on the enemy until Rosecrans 
arrived, or he should hear firing to the south of Iuka. Of this change 
General Rosecrans was promptly informed by dispatch, sent with his return 
messenger. During the day General Ord returned to my head-quarters at 
Iuka, and, in consultation, we both agreed that it would be impossible for 
General Rosecrans to get his troops up in time to make an attack that day. 
The General was instructed, however, to move forward, driving in the 
enemy's advance guards, but not to bring on an engagement unless he 
should hear firing. At night another dispatch was received, from General 
Rosecrans, dated from Barnett's, about eight miles from Iuka, written at 
12:40 p. m., stating that the head of the column had arrived there at 12 m. 
Owing to the density of the forests, and the difficulties of passing the small 
streams and bottoms, all communications between General Rosecrans and 
myself had to pass far around — near Jacinto — even after he had got on the 
road leading north. For this reason his communication was not received 
until after the engagement, I did not hear of the engagement, however, 
until the next day, although the following dispatch had been promptly 
forwarded : — 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT 



185 



" Head-Quarters Army of tiie Mississippi, ) 
Two miles south of Iuka, September 19, 1S62 — 10£ p. m. > 

" General : — We met the enemy in just about this point. The engage- 
ment lasted several hours. We have lost two or three pieces of artillery. 
Firing was very heavy. You must attack in the morning, and in force. 
The ground is horrid — unknown to us, and no room for development — 
couldn't use our artillery at all ; fired but few shots. Push in on to them 
until we can have time to do something. We will try to get a position on N 
our right, which will take Iuka. 

"Signed: W. S. Rosecrans, Brigadier-General, U. S. A." 

This dispatch was received at 8:35 a. m., on the 20th, and the following 
was immediately sent : 

" Buri^syiixe, September 20, 1862—8:35 a. m. 

"General Ord: — 

" Get your troops up and attack as soon as possible. Rosecrans had two 
hours' fighting last night, and now this morning again, and, unless you can 
create a diversion in his favor, he may find his hands full. 

" Hurry up your troops — all possible. 

•"Signed: " U. S. Grant, Major-General." 

The statement that the engagement had commenced again in the morn- 
ing was on the strength of hearing artillery. General Ord, hearing the 
same, however, pushed on with all possible dispatch, without awaiting 
orders. 

Two of my staff — Colonels Dickey and Logan — had gone around to 
where General Rosecrans was, and were with him during the early part of 
the engagement. Returning in the dark, and endeavoring to cut off some 
of the distance, they became lost and entangled in the woods, and remained 
out over night, arriving at head-quarters next morning about the same 
hour that General Rosecrans's messenger arrived. For the particular troops 
engaged, and the part taken by each regiment, I will have to refer you en- 
tirely to the accompanying report of those officers who were present. 

ISTot occupying Iuka afterward fur any length of time, and then, not 
until a force sufficient to give protection for any great distance arrived (the 
battle was fought about two miles out). I cannot accompany this with a 
topographical map. I send, however, a map showing all the roads and 
plans named in this report. The country between the road traveled by 
General Ord's command, to some distance south of the railroad, is impass- 
able for cavalry, and almost so for infantry. It is impossible for artillery 
to move southward to the road traveled by General Rosecrans's command. 
Soon after dispatching General Ord, word was brought by one of my stall, 
Colonel Hillyer, that the enemy were in full retreat. I immediately pro- 
ceeded to Iuka, and found that the enemy had left during the night, taking 
every thing with them except their wounded, and the artillery taken by 
them the evening before. Going south by the Fulton road, Generals 
Stanley and Hamilton were in pursuit. 



186 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



This was the first I knew of the Fulton road; with it occupied, no 
route would have been left them except east, with the difficult bottom of 
Bear Creek to cross, or northeast, with the Tennessee River in their front, 
or to conquer their way out. A partial examination of the country after- 
ward convinced me, however, that troops moving in separate columns by 
the route suggested could not support each other until they arrived near 
Iuka. On the other hand, an attempt to retreat, according to programme, 
would have brought General Ord, with his force, on the rear of the retreat- 
ing column. 

For casualties and captures, see accompanying reports. 
The battle of Iuka foots up as follows : 

On the 16th of September we commenced to collect our strength to 
move upon Price, at Iuka, in two columns ; the one to the right of the 
railroad commanded by Brigadier-General (now Major-General) W. S. 
Rosecrans; the one to the left commanded by Major-General E. O. C. 
Ord. On the night of the 18th, the latter was in position to bring on an 
engagement in one hour's march. The former, from having a greater dis- 
tance to march, and, through the fault of a guide, was twenty miles back. 
On the 19th, by making a rapid march, hardy, well-disciplined, and tried 
troops arrived within two miles of the place to be attacked. Unexpectedly 
the enemy took the initiative and became the attacking party. The ground 
chosen was such that a large force on our side could not be brought into 
action ; but the bravery and endurance of those brought in were such that, 
with the skill and presence of mind of the officer commanding, they were 
able to hold their ground till night closed the conflict. During the night 
the enemy fled, leaving our troops in possession of the field, with their 
dead to bury and wounded to care for. If it was the object of the enemy 
to make their way into Kentucky, they were defeated in that ; if to hold 
their position until Van Dorn could come up on the southwest of Corinth, 
and make a simultaneous attack, they were defeated in that. Our only 
defeat was in not capturing the entire army, or in destroying it, as I had 
hoped to do. 

It was a part of General Hamilton's command that did the fighting, 
directed entirely by that cool and deserving officer. I commend him to the 
President for acknowledgment of his services. 

During the absence of these forces from Corinth, that post was left in 
charge of Brigadier-General T. J. McKean. The southern front, from 
Jacinto to Rienzi, was under the charge of Colonel Du Bois, with a small 
infantry and cavalry force. The service was most satisfactorily performed, 
Colonel Du Bois showing great vigilance and efficiency. I was kept con- 
stantly advised of the movements of flying bodies of cavalry that were 
hovering in our front. 

The wounded, both friend and enemy, are much indebted to Surgeon 
J. G. F. Holbrook, Medical Director, for his untiring labor in organizing 
hospitals and providing for their every want. 

I cannot close this report without paying a tribute to all the officers and 
soldiers comprising this command. Their conduct on the march was exem- 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



187 



plary, and all were eager to meet the enemy. The possibility of defeat I 
do not think entered the mind of a single individual, and I believe this same 
feeling now pervades the entire army which I have the honor to command. 

I neglected to mention, in the proper connection, that, to cover our 
movements from Corinth, and to attract the attention of the enemy in 
another direction. I ordered a movement from Bolivar toward Holly Springs. 
This was conducted by Brigadier-General Lanman. 

Before completing this report, the report of Major-General Ord was re- 
ceived, and accompanies this. 

I am, Oolonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. (xrakt, Major- General. 



9 



188 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTEK X. 

GENERAL GRANT'S NEW COMMAND. — HIS INTEGRITY. 

General Grant's New Command. — Its Limits and Sub-divisions. — Preparation for a 
Grand Campaign. — Reconnoitering. — Protects Citizens. — A new Staff. — Light- 
Marching. — The Contrabands. — Robbery in Camp. — Regulation of Trade. — The 
Jews Expelled from the Department. — Anecdote Illustrating General Grant's 
Integrity. — On to Vicksburg. — Plans for Assaulting or Investing the City. — 
The Army in Motion. — Holly Springs Taken by the Rebels. — General Grant's 
Campaign Interrupted. — General Sherman's Advance. 

General Grant assumed the command of Ms new 
department on the 25th day of October, 1862, and imme- 
diately announced the new order of things to his troops : — 

Head-Quarteks, Department of the Tennessee, | 
Jackson, Tenn., October 25, 1862. > 

I. In compliance with general orders of the War Department, of date 
October 16, 1862, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the 
Department of the Tennessee, which includes Cairo, Fort Henry, and Fort 
Donelson, Northern Mississippi, and the portions of Kentucky and Tennes- 
see west of the Tennessee River. 

II. Head-quarters of the Department of the Tennessee will remain, 
until further orders, at Jackson, Tennessee. 

III. All orders of the District of West Tennessee will continue in force 
in the Departments. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General Commanding. 

The following day, the boundaries of the districts into 
which the vast field would be divided were also given : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, ) 

Jackson, Tenn., October 26, 1862. f 

I. The geographical divisions designated in general orders, from head- 
quarters, District of West Tennessee, dated September 24, 1862, will 
hereafter be known as districts. The First Division will constitute the 
u District of Memphis," Major-General W. T. Sherman commanding; the 
Second Division, the "District of Jackson," commanded by Major-General 
S. A. Hurlburt; the Third Division, the "District of Corinth," Brigadier- 
General C. S. Hamilton, commanding; the Fourth Division, the "District 
of Columbus," commanded by Brigadier-General T. A. Davies. 



PREPARATION FOR THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN. Igg 



II. The army heretofore known as the " Army of the Mississippi," 
being now divided and in different departments, will be continued as a 
separate army. 

III. Until army corps are formed, there will be no distinction known, 
except those of departments, districts, divisions, posts, brigades, regiments, 
and companies. 

By command of Major-General U. S. Geant. 

As General Grant had now heavy work before him, 
and it was necessary to have his forces thoroughly organ- 
ized, under his personal supervision, he began by rooting 
out, as far as possible, guerrillas ; and in the affair at 
Clarkson his forces were very successful. 

In every great and difficult achievement there is, first, 
the hard, quiet business of preparation, to do. From the 
very last of October till late in November, General Grant 
had just this less exciting and unappreciated toil, before 
attempting the gigantic enterprise of taking Yicksburg. 
The vast machinery of a moving army — wagons, tents, 
stores, hospital shelter — he determined to reduce to the 
smallest possible amount, as indicated in the laws to gov- 
ern the grand campaign : — 

Head-Quarters, Department op the Tennessee,^ 
Jackson, Tenn., November 1, 1862. ( 

I. General Orders, No. 160, from the adjutant-general's office, having 
been received at head-quarters, is published for the information of all con- 
cerned : — 

The following regulations are established for army trains and bag- 
gage : 

1. There will be allowed — 

For head-quarters train of an army corps, four wagons ; of a division or 
brigade, three ; of a full infantry regiment, six ; and of a light artillery bat- 
tery or squadron of cavalry, three. 

In no case will this allowance be exceeded, but always proportionally 
reduced, according to the officers, and men actually present. All surplus 
wagons will be turned over to the chief quartermaster, to be organized, 
under direction of the commanding generals, into supply trains, or sent to 
the nearest depot. 

The requisite supply trains, their size depending upon the state of the 
roads and character of the campaign, will be organized by the chief quar- 
termaster, with the approval of the commanding generals, subject to the 
control of the War Department. 

2. The wagons allowed to a regiment, battery, or squadron, must 



190 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



carry nothing but forage for the teams, cooking utensils, and rations for 
the troops, hospital stores, and officers' baggage. One wagon to each 
regiment will transport exclusively hospital supplies, under direction of 
the regimental surgeon; the one for regimental head-quarters will 
carry the grain for the officers' horses, and the three allowed for each 
battery or squadron will be at least half loaded with the grain for their 
own teams. 

Stores in bulk and ammunition will be carried in the regular or special 
supply trains. 

3. In active campaign, troops must be prepared to bivouac on the 
march, the allowance of tents being limited, as follows : 

For the head-quarters of an army corps, division, or brigade, one wall- 
tent to the commanding general, and one to every two officers of his 
staff. 

For the colonel, field and staff of a full regiment, three wall tents ; and 
for every other commissioned officer, one shelter-tent each. 

For every two non-commissioned officers, soldiers, officers' servants, 
and authorized camp followers, one shelter-tent. 

One hospital-tent will be allowed for office purposes, at corps head- 
quarters, and one wall-tent at those of a division or brigade. All tents 
beyond this allowance will be left in depot. 

4. Officers' baggage will be limited to blankets, one small valise or 
carpet-bag, and a moderate mess-kit. The men will carry their own 
blankets and shelter-tents, and reduce the contents of their knapsacks as 
much as possible. 

The depot quartermaster will provide storage for a reasonable amount 
of officers' surplus baggage, and the extra clothing and knapsacks of the 
men. 

5. Hospital-tents are for the sick and wounded, and, except those 
allowed for army corps bead- quarters, must not be diverted from their 
proper use. 

6. Commanding officers will be held responsible for the strict enforce- 
ment of these regulations, especially the reduction of officers' baggage 
within their respective commands. 

7. On all marches, quartermasters, under the orders of their command- 
ing officers, will accompany and conduct their trains in a way not to ob- 
struct the movement of troops. 

8. All quartermasters and commissaries will personally attend to the 
reception and issue of supplies for their commands, and will keep them- 
selves informed of the condition of the depot, roads, and other communi- 
cations. 

9. All quartermasters and commissaries will report, by letter, on the 
first of every month, to the chiefs of their respective departments, at 
Washington, D. C, their station, and generally the duty on which they 
have been engaged during the preceding month. 

By command of Major-General Halleck 

L. Thomas, Adjutant-General. 



THE CAVALRY DASH ON EIPLEY. 



191 



II. District commanders will immediately cause an inspection of their 
command, with the view to a strict compliance of the above order, and 
see that all tents and transportation in excess of allowance are turned 
over to the quartermaster; that all extra clothing and knapsacks of en- 
listed men are delivered for storage as provided ; that the baggage of 
officers does not exceed the limitation prescribed ; and that all hospital- 
tents not in use for the sick and wounded are turned over to the quarter- 
master at once. 

III. Where there is a deficiency of clothing or tents, as allowed by 
regulations and said order, proper requisitions will be made on the chief 
quartermaster of the Department, Captain C. A. Eeynolds, for same. 

IV. The requirements of this order must be complied with without 
delay, and report of such compliance promptly made to these head- 
quarters. 

By command of Major- General U. S. Gbaxt. 

The last of October, Colonel Lee, of General Grant's 
army, with a body of cavalry, clashed down to Eipley, 
Mississippi, on a reconnoissance, took it, and held it for a 
day. After also occupying the town of Orizaba, Colonel 
Lee returned to Grand Junction on November 2d, with 
several prisoners. 

On the evening of the 4th of November, General Grant 
removed his head-quarters to La Grange, west of Grand 
Junction, occupying that place with a heavy body of 
troops, outgeneraling the rebels, who were concentrating 
their forces in the vicinity of Ripley, a long distance 
further east. 

Colonel Lee again made a successful reconnoissance, 
with about fifteen hundred cavalry, to Hudsonville, Mis- 
sissippi. This was but the beginning of a grand recon- 
noissance as follows : — 

On November 8th, General Grant ordered a strong 
force, consisting of two divisions of infantry and artillery, 
and part of a cavalry division, upon a special reconnois- 
sance. The cavalry was under the command of Colonel 
Lee, and the infantry under General McPherson. This 
force started from La Grange, the cavalry taking the lead. 
At Lamar, the infantry halted, while the cavalry pushed 
toward Hudsonville. On the road Colonel Lee encoun- 
tered a body of rebel cavalry, which he engaged on the 
flank with one half of his force, while the other half pro- 



192 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ceeded to Hudsonville. After routing the cavalry, killing 
sixteen and capturing one hundred and thirty-four, with 
their horses and arms, Colonel Lee joined the remainder 
of his command at Hudsonville, and then returned to La 
Grange. 

The following is General Grant' s brief but compliment- 
ary dispatch to the general-in-chief in relation to this 
movement : — 

La G-bange, November 11, 1862, 10:30 p. m. 

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

One hundred and thirty-four prisoners were taken by Colonel Lee, of 
the Seventh Kansas Cavalry, and sixteen rebels killed. Our loss is two 
wounded. Colonel Lee is one of our best cavalry officers. I earnestly 
recommend him for promotion. 

U. S. Geant. 

The reconnoitering expedition brought valuable infor- 
mation to the chief, whose busy, noiseless thought was 
shaping martial enterprise, which, if successful, would 
eclipse all former achievements, and make the hosts of 
rebeldom tremble as never before. He learned that 
General Lovell, who had been in command of the rebel 
forces north of Holly Springs, Mississippi, had fallen back 
through that place on November 2d ; but while retreating, 
was met on November 5th by General Pemberton, who 
had come up from the State Capital — Jackson. General 
Lovell was ordered back to his old post, which he held, 
with two divisions, on the 8th of November. Price, with 
twelve thousand men, was seven miles below Holly 
Springs, on the Salem road, and twenty-two miles further 
south, at Abbeville, was a rebel conscript camp of about 
thirteen thousand men. 

General Grant was a just and gentlemanly officer. 
These qualities were visible in all his conduct. He won 
from friends and foes the homage of true virtue — of honor 
and integrity above a mean military ambition, or mercenary 
use of office and its opportunities to get money. No 
reasonable complaint was disregarded, though it came 
from rebels. 

Complaints having been made by the farmers in the 
vicinity, of the conduct of the rebel forces, while passing 



GENERAL GRANT OX PLUNDERING. 



193 



through, their country. General Grant issued the folio wing 
order, to prevent his troops from falling into a like dis- 
graceful system of plunder : — 

Head-Quaetees, Department! of tee Tennessee, | 
La Geange, Tex>\, November 9, 1862. I 

Hereinafter stoppage will be made on muster and pay-rolls against di- 
visions for the full amount of depredations committed by any member or 
members of the division, unless the act can be traced either to the individ- 
uals committing them, or to the company, regiment, or brigade to which 
the offenders belong. 

In all cases the punishment will be assessed to the smallest organiza- 
tion containing the guilty parties. 

Confiscation acts were never intended to be executed by soldiers ; and 
if they were, the General Government should have full benefit of all pro- 
perty of which individuals are deprived. A stoppage of pay against 
offenders will effect this end, and it is to be hoped will correct the growing 
evil. 

It is not only the duty of commissioned officers to correct this evil, but 
of all good men in the ranks to report every violation ; and it is determin- 
ed now that they shall have a pecuniary interest in doing so. 

Assessments will also be made against commissioned officers, in the 
proportion of their pay proper. 

Where offenses of the nature contemplated in this order are traced to 
individuals, they will be summarily punished to the full extent formerly 
given to garrison courts-martial, or be arrested and tried by a general 
court-martial, according to the enormity of the offense, and the severest 
penalties provided imposed and executed. 

This order shall be read on parade, before each regiment and detach- 
ment, for three successive evenings. 

By order of iTajor-General U. S. Geaxt. 

It -was by this strict discipline that General Grant gath- 
ered around him one of the finest working armies in the 
Lmited States. 

The change in the Department naturally led to a remod- 
eling of the commander's staff, the officers of which were 
announced as follows : — 

Head-Qeaetees. Theeteexth Aemy Coeps. \ 
Depaetmemt of tee Tennessee. V 
La Geaxge, Texx., November 11, 1S62. » 

I. The following officers are announced as the staff and staff-corps of 
this department, and will be recognized and obeyed accordingly: 

Brigadier-General J. D. Webster, Superintendent ^liiitary Eailroads. 
13 



194 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Rawlins, Assistant Adjutant- General and 
Chief of Staff. 

Colonel T. Lyle Dickey, Chief of Cavalry. 

Colonel William S. Ilillyer, Aid-de-Carap and Provost-Marshal- 
General. 

Colonel Clark B. Lagow, Aid-de-Camp and Acting Inspector-General. 

Colonel George P. Ihrie, Aid-de-Camp and Acting Inspector-General. 

Colonel John Riggin, Jr., Aid-de-Camp and Superintendent of Mili- 
tary Telegraphs. 

Colonel George G. Pride, Chief-Engineer of Military Railroads. 

Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Duff, Chief of Artillery. 

Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Hawkins, Chief of Subsistence Department. 

Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Reynolds, Chief of Quartermaster's Depart- 
ment. 

Surgeon Horace R. Wirtz, Chief of Medical Department. 
Major William R. Rowley, Aid-de-Camp and Mustering Officer. 
Captain T. S. Bowers, Aid-de-Camp. 
Captain F. E. Prime, Chief of Engineers. 

Lieutenant James II. Wilson, Chief of Topographical Engineers. 
Lieutenant S. C. Lyford, Chief of Ordnance Department. 



John A. Rawlins, A. A. G. 

Two difficulties now required further attention in tlie 
progress of the enlarged army movements. The baggage 
was too heavy for sudden or rapid marches, and the rebel 
cotton accumulated on our hands. We were just begin- 
ning to strip and arm for the light. Modern warfare re- 
quired celerity, and both black and white contraband pro- 
perty a care unknown before in any land. The com- 
mander, in accordance with previous orders, applied such 
means of relief as the circumstances allowed. 



1. In compliance with general orders from the War Department, and 
general orders from Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, all 
officers of the Quartermaster's Department are required to reduce their 
means of transportation as much as possible until shelter-tents are pro- 
vided, when the transportation will be reduced in compliance with the 
above orders. 

2. All surplus teams and wagons in charge of regimental quarter- 
masters will be transferred to division quartermasters, who are hereby 
required to organize a supply-train of from fifty to one hundred teams, as 
the service of their division may require ; and any teams in excess of the 



By command of 



Major-General U. S. Grant. 



Chief Quartermaster's Office, 
La Grange, Tennessee, November 18, 1S62. 



REGULATIONS RESPECTING THE MARCH. 195' 



demands for division supply-trains will be turned over to such officer as 
may be designated to take charge of the general supply-train. 

3. All division and brigade quartermasters are required to report im- 
mediately, by letter, their address and the division or brigade to which they 
belong, and the name of its commander to the chief quartermaster of the 
department ; if an acting assistant quartermaster, they will report, in addi- 
tion, the regiment to which they are attached. 

4. Brigade quartermasters will not be required to have supply-trains, 
as the division quartermaster will issue direct to regiments. Division, 
brigade, and regimental quartermasters are required to remain in camp 
with their respective commands. The only quartermasters allowed to 
take quarters or offices in the towns which the army may occupy are the 
depot and post quartermasters ; and no quarters will be occupied by any 
officer whatsoever, unless duly assigned thereto by the post quartermaster, 
under the direction of the chief quartermaster. 

5. All cotton coming into the hands of quartermasters, seized south 
of Jackson, Tennessee, will be sent to that point, and invoiced to Captain 
G. L. Fort, A. Q. M\, or the post quartermaster, giving the name and resi- 
dence of the parties from whom it was taken. And all cotton seized north 
of that place will be shipped to Captain Thomas O'Brien, A. Q. M., or the 
post quartermaster, at Columbus, Kentucky. The quartermasters above 
mentioned will hold such cotton until ordered to sell the same at public 
auction by the general commanding or the chief quartermaster of the 
department. 

6. All regimental and other quartermasters are required to show that 
they have sent the monthly papers and returns prescribed by regulations 
and existing orders to the quartermaster-general and the proper Auditor 
of the Treasury at Washington, before they can receive funds for the pay- 
ment of extra-duty men. Extra-duty rolls should have attached to the 
certificate, "And that I have forwarded a copy of the above roll to the 
quartermaster-general at "Washington." Estimates for funds should be 
approved by the division general. 

By command of Major-General U. S. Gkant. 



The negro refugees became a source of mucli anxiety, 
as well as an incubus on the army. Several of these men 
had played the parts of spies, at the instigation of their 
rebel masters, by entering the Union lines under the pre- 
tense of being escaped slaves, and, after gaining what in- 
formation they could, had made their way back to the 
rebel lines with the intelligence. 

General Grant is humane, and did not ignore the claims 
of those whose unrequited toil was the cause of the war, 



196 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



by organizing a camp especially for them. The wise provi- 
sion is clearly stated in the order creating it : — 

Head-Quaktees Thirteenth Aemt Coeps, Department of the Tennessee, } 
La Grange, Tennessee, FovejnberH. ) 

I. Chaplain J. Eaton, Jr., of the Twenty-seventh Regiment Ohio Infan- 
try Volunteers, is hereby appointed to take charge of all fugitive slaves 
that are now, or may from time to time come within the military lines of 
the advancing army in this vicinity, not employed and registered in accor- 
dance with General Orders, ISTo. 72, from Head-Quarters District of "West 
Tennessee, and will open a camp for them at Grand Junction, where they 
will be suitably cared for, and organized into companies, and set to work, 
picking, ginning, and baling all cotton now outstanding in fields. 

II. Commanding officers of troops will send all fugitives that come 
within the lines, together with such teams, cooking utensils, and other 
baggage as they may bring with them, to Chaplain J. Eaton, Jr., at Grand 
Junction. 

HI. One regiment of infantry from Brigadier-General ile Arthur' a 
division will be temporarily detailed as guard in charge of such contra- 
bands, and the surgeons of said regiment will be charged with the care of 
the sick. 

IV. Commissaries of subsistence will issue on the requisitions of Chap- 
lain J. Eaton, Jr., omitting the coffee rations, and substituting rye. 

By order of Major-General TJ. S. Grant. 

The order relative to plundering led to the detecting 
of guilty parties ; and General Grant, fully determined to 
have his orders obeyed in the spirit, assessed the guilty 
regiment for the whole amount of the injury inflicted, and 
punished the officers for neglect of duty. 

This summary method of dealing with "light-fingered^ 
warriors, under military government, is amusing, and is 
given in practical form by the subjoined document : — 

Head-Qeaetees Thirteenth Army Coeps, Department of the Tennessee, I 
La Grange, Tennessee, November 16, 1S62. f 

The facts having been officially reported to the major-general com- 
manding, that a portion of the Twentieth Regiment Illinois Infantry 
Volunteers did, on the night of the 7th of November inst., at Jackson, 
Tennessee, break into the store of G. W. Graham & Co., and take there- 
from goods to the value of $841.40, the property of said Graham & Co., 
and did cut the tent of R. B. Kent and X. A. Bass, and take therefrom 
goods to the value of $345, the property of said Kent & Bass, and burn 
and destroy the tent and poles, also the property of said Kent & Bass, of 



PENALTY OF EOBBEEY AHOXG THE "BOYS. 11 



197 



the value of $56.26 — all of which damages amount to the sum of 
$1,242.66; and it further appearing from said report that Captain 0. L. 
Page, Co. D ; Captain J. M. North, Co. E; Captain G. TV. Kennard, Co. I; 
Lieutenants Harry King, Co. B ; William Seas, Co, C ; John Edmonston, 
Co. E: David Wadsworth, Co. F; J. Bailey. Co. F; Victor H. Stevens, 
Co. II ; E. M. Evans, Co. I ; Charles Taylor, Co. I, of said regiment, were 
absent from their commands at the time of the perpetration of those 
outrages, in violation of orders, and without proper cause, when they 
should have been present; and also that Captain Orton Frisbee, of Co. H, 
acting in the capacity of major, and Captain John Tunison, of Co. G, the 
senior captain, immediately after the commission of these depredations, 
did not exercise their authority to ferret out the men guilty of the offenses; 
but, that, on the contrary, Captain Tunison interposed to. prevent search 
and discovery of the parties really guilty, and that Captain Frisbee, after 
the commission of the said depredations, being in command of the regi- 
ment, remained behind twenty-four hours after the regiment marched, and 
the names of the individual parties guilty not having been disclosed, it is 
therefore ordered — 

I. That the said sum of $1,242.66 be assessed against said regiment 
and the officers hereinbefore named, excepting such enlisted men as were, 
at the time, sick in the hospital or absent with proper authority ; that the 
same be charged against them on the proper muster and pay rolls, and the 
amount each is to pay noted opposite his name thereon — the officers to be 
assessed pro rata with the men on the amount of their pay proper ; and 
that the sum so collected be paid by the commanding officer of the regi- 
ment to the parties entitled to the same. 

II. That Captain Orton Frisbee and Captain John Tunison, of the Twen- 
tieth Eegiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, for wilful neglect of duty and 
violation of orders, are hereby mustered out of the service of the United 
States, to take effect this day. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

The civil war among States whose commercial relations 
had been so interwoven gave to the question of trade 
an importance both great and delicate. It required wise 
patriotism and high moral courage to deal justly with 
all parties interested in traffic, not only as the means of 
livelihood, but also of speculation. 

The Treasury Department had interposed some general 
regulations, which could not meet the peculiar embarrass- 
ments which arose, not unfrequently, in the conquest of 
insurrectionary territory by our commanders. 

Good sense, and the inflexible purpose to deal with- 
out the rashness of revenge, and yet thoroughly, with 



198 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



treason, made the military rule of General Grant, like that 
of General Sherman, uniformly the best that, in the pos- 
ture of affairs at the time, could have been for the army 
and the people. The clear statement of principles curtail- 
ing the traffic in the Department of the Tennessee is wor- 
thy of its origin : — 



Head-Qpaeteks Thirteenth Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee, ) 
La Grange, Tennessee, November 19, 1862. > 

I. In addition to permits from the Treasury Department, all persons 
are required to have a permit from the local provost-marshal at the post, 
before purchasing cotton or other Southern products in this department, 
and shipping the same North. 

II. It will be regarded as evidence of disloyalty for persons to go 
beyond the lines of the army to purchase cotton or other products ; and 
all contracts made for such articles in advance of the army, or for cotton 
in the field, are null and void, and all persons so offending will be expelled 
from, the department. 

III. Freight agents on military railroads will report daily to the post 
provost-marshal all cotton or other private property shipped by them ; 
and when shipments are made by persons who have not the proper per- 
mits, notice will be given by telegraph to the provost-marshal at Colum- 
bus, Kentucky, who will seize the goods for the benefit of the Govern- 
ment. 

IV. The Federal army being now in the occupancy of "West Tennessee 
to the Mississippi line, and it being no part of the policy of the Govern- 
ment to oppress, or cause unnecessary suffering to those who are not in 
active rebellion, hereafter, until otherwise directed, licenses will be granted 
by district commanders to loyal persons at all military stations within the 
department, to keep for sale, subject to the Treasury regulations, such 
articles as are of prime necessity for families, and sell the same to all 
citizens who have taken, or may voluntarily take the oath of allegiance, 
and who have permits from the provost-marshal, obtained under oath, that 
all goods to be purchased are for their own and for their family's use, and 
that no part thereof is for sale or for the use of any person other than 
those named in the permit. Permits so given will be good until counter- 
manded ; and all violations of trading permits will be punished by the for- 
feiture of the permit, fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of a military 
commission. 

V. Particular attention is called to existing orders prohibiting the em- 
ployment or use of Government teams for hauling private property. All 
cotton, brought to stations or places for shipments in this department by 
Government teams, will be seized by the Quartermaster's Department for 
the benefit of the Government, and persons claiming such property ex- 



TRADERS AND TRADING EST THE ARMY. 



199 



pelled from the department. It is made the duty of all officers, and 
especially of local provost-marshals, to see that this order is rigidly en- 
forced. 

By command of Major-General U. S. Geant. 

But, in spite of the above orders, the Jewish camp- 
followers were continually engaged in an illegal traffic ; 
and there was no remedy for the outrage "but a sweeping 
legislation, which not long after was so far modified, that, 
under careful limitations, the everywhere-present "chil- 
dren of Abraham'' were permitted to share in the profits 
of trade. General Grant issued an order of expulsion : — 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, I 
Oxford, Mississippi, December 17, 1862. I 

The Jews, as a class, violating every regulation of trade established by 
the Treasury Department, also department orders, are hereby expelled 
from the department within twenty-four hours from the receipt of this 
order by post commanders. They will see that all this class of people are 
furnished with passes and required to leave ; and any one returning after 
such notification will be arrested and held in confinement until an oppor- 
tunity occurs of sending them out as prisoners, unless furnished with per- 
mits from these head-quarters. No passes will be given these people to 
visit head-quarters for the purpose of making personal application for 
trade permits. 

By order of Major-General Geant. 

An incident occurred, in connection with these perplex- 
ing consequences of war in the bosom of the Republic, 
which finely sets forth the ingrained integrity of General 
Grant's character. Notwithstanding his protests, agents 
of the Treasury Department urged the importance, if not 
necessity, of some system of trade. 

For a long time he refused, for the reason that he- 
could not successfully conduct his military operations 
while such persons were moving around him ; but at 
last he conceded that a certain amount of trade in the 
recaptured districts of the South would be safe, proper, 
and even highly useful to the Union— provided it could 
be conducted through honest, unimpeachable Union 
hands. He was asked to name the persons to whom he 
would be willing to trust. 

"I will do no such thing," was Grant's reply; "for, 



200 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



if I did, it would appear in less than a week that I was 
a partner of every one of the persons trading under my 
authority.' ' 

" Vicksburg !" was now the enthusiastic war-cry of 
Grant 1 s battalions. 

To understand the exact position of the fortress, and 
its relation to the army and national cause, a glance at 
its history since the war began is necessary. 

In January, 1861, the governor of Mississippi com- 
menced the fortifications of Vicksburg — by natural posi- 
tion, with high bluffs, a place of remarkable strength for 
this purpose. Profiting by the loss of Island 'No. 10, and 
the forts above Memphis, no engineering skill and ex- 
pense were spared to make it impregnable. Fortress was 
built within fortress ; rows of heavy guns rose one over 
the other in the cliffs, till the stronghold defied ironclads 
from the river, and armies from the land. Next to Cor- 
inth, a railroad and general centre of the conflict in the 
field, Vicksburg was the object of interest to both armies. 

The operations of the army and the naval forces in 
the West up to May, 1862, had principally been for two 
grand objects — the reopening of the Mississippi River to 
the Gulf, and the suppression of the rebels in arms. The 
movements were therefore general in their character up 
to this date, and had not been directed to any one par- 
ticular point, until the advance upon Corinth, under Gen- 
eral Halleck. 

About J une, 1862, the reduction of Vicksburg and its 
neighboring batteries became a subject of more direct im- 
portance, and a special object to be accomplished ; and on 
the 1st of that month, Commodore Farragut's fleet, which 
had taken New Orleans, and the other points of the Lower 
Mississippi, arrived off Grand Gulf, where it attacked a 
rebel battery of rifled guns. After a brief engagement, 
the fleet passed up the river without reducing the battery. 
It was the approach of this fleet from below and of the 
gunboat fleet from above, that warned General Beaure- 
gard that his army was in great danger, if he should re- 
main too long at Corinth. 

As before stated, Memphis was reduced on June 6th ; 



BOMBARDMENT OF VIOKSBURG-. 



201 



and the next clay Farragut's fleet arrived off Yicksburg. 
On June 8th, a portion of the fleet returned to Grand 
Gulf, and for the time silenced the rebel "battery at that 
point. The gunboat fleet having cleared the river to 
Yicksburg from above, after reaching that place returned 
north, to operate on the rivers of Arkansas. 

The movements of the Union army under General 
Grant, after the evacuation of Corinth, and the arrival 
of Farragut's fleet before Yicksburg, so alarmed the rebel 
inhabitants of the State of Mississippi, that, on June 16, 
1862, they removed their State archives from their capital 
— Jackson — to a more remote position. On the 27th of 
June, the fleet began the bombardment of Vicksburg, and, 
with the aid of Porter's mortar-fleet, continued shelling 
the rebel position at intervals, until the end of July, 
when the river was found to be so low, that the fleet 
had to retire to New Orleans, to prevent the larger vessels 
from getting aground. For more than four long weeks, 
the awful storm beat upon the walls of this rebel Gib- 
raltar in vain. 

About twelve miles north of Yicksburg is the mouth 
of the Yazoo River, the waters of which are deep enough 
to float an ordinary river vessel, at almost any season 
of the year. Up this stream the rebels had established 
an improvised navy-yard ; had there constructed a pow- 
erful iron- clad ram, called the Arkansas ; and, to prevent 
an enemy from passing up the Yazoo River to destroy the 
ship -bull ding, the rebels had fortified Haines's Bluff, a 
strong elevation, a short distance above the point where 
the Yazoo falls into the Mississippi River. On July 15th, 
this ram came down the Yazoo, ran by the fleet, and 
laid up before the city of Yicksburg, adding a floating 
battery to the works of that place. The gunboat Essex 
and the ram Queen of the West subsequently inflicted 
such injuries on the Arkansas that, in a short time, she 
was completely destroyed. 

At this time Yicksburg and its vicinity formed a por- 
tion of the Union Department of the Gulf, and all military 
operations had to be made by troops having their base at 
New Orleans. 



202 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Another plan of weakening effectually, though not 
destroying, the apparently impregnable works, was pro- 
posed. It was believed to be possible to isolate the city 
of Vicksburg, which was located on a bend of the Mis- 
sissippi River, by turning the course of that stream, and 
thus put the city inland, some six miles. As the only 
strategical value of Vicksburg to the rebels was its power 
in blockading the river, if the channel could be changed 
into another direction, the rebel works would be useless, 
and reduced without much bloodshed, if they were not 
voluntarily abandoned. To effect this, it was deemed 
necessary to cut a canal across the neck of land between 
De Soto and Richmond, Louisiana, and nearly opposite 
Vicksburg. The troops were employed on this work, 
while the fleet bombarded the city. If the channel had 
been changed, the piece of land cut off would have been 
taken out of the State of Louisiana, and added to the State 
of Mississippi. 

On the 22d of July, 1862, the canal was declared com- 
pleted ; but the waters of the river were too low to flow 
through it, it was then supposed ; but afterwards ascer- 
tained that the canal was in the wrong spot to cause any 
variation in the channel. 

The waters of the river continuing to subside rapidly, 
it was deemed advisable to raise the siege ; and the rebels 
took this opportunity to fill up the canal cut by the Union 
troops, and then to add their Vicksburg garrison to the 
force engaged against Corinth, during the early part of 
October. They, also, further fortified the hills around 
the city, on both the land and water sides, to put it 
beyond the power of any probable, if not possible, force 
that could be sent against it by the Government to which 
it belonged. 

Such was the city, with its defenses, when General 
Grant turned his face toward it ; with the added precaiv 
tion, by the enemy, of strong fortifications at Port Hud- 
son, just above Baton Rouge, to prevent further co-opera- 
tion of the Union fleet. 

On the 28th of November, a force of infantry and 
cavalry, under Generals A. P. Hovey and Washburne, 



ARMY MOVEMENTS TOWARD VIOKSBURG. 



203 



arrived at Delta, on the Mississippi River, near the 
mouth of the Yazoo Pass. They had started the pre- 
vious day from Helena, on the Arkansas shore, at which 
point the Union troops about to join General Grant were 
"being concentrated. General Washburne' s cavalry made 
a reconnoissance to the mouth of the Coldwater River, 
where he captured a rebel camp, a number of horses, 
arms, and equipments, and routed the enemy. The 
reconnoissance was pushed along both the Coldwater 
and Tallahatchie Rivers, thence to Preston, after which 
an expedition was sent to Garner's Station, to destroy 
the railroad bridge and track. This expedition was com- 
pletely successful, as were several others of a similar 
character. The cavalry then returned via Charleston, 
and formed a junction, near Mitchell's Cross-Roads, with 
General Hovey's forces. The reconnoissance was next 
pushed up to Panola, where an abandoned rebel camp 
was discovered, the occupants having fled during the 
previous night. The cavalry again moved in a southerly 
direction to Oakland, and along the road towards Coffee- 
viiie. After ascertaining the exact position of the rebel 
forces, and being engaged in a few skirmishes, this part 
of the expedition returned to the mouth of the Coldwater 
River. General Hovey' s command also cut some portions 
of the railroad lines. This movement created quite a 
panic among the rebels of the Southwest. 

Meanwhile, the main forces, under General Grant, 
moved steadily forward along the line of railroad leading 
from Grand Junction to Grenada. On November 28th, 
the advance left Davis's mills for Holly Springs, Colonel 
Lee's cavalry pushing on ahead. Along the line of 
march were evidences of the recent cavalry operations 
of the Union forces. All day Saturday and Sunday, No- 
vember 29th and 30th, the troops poured through the 
charming streets, lined with foliage, of Holly Springs, 
until its six thousand inhabitants "began to think the 
entire North was emptying itself through them." In this 
place were discovered several evidences of the illegal 
traffic that had been carried on through the rebel lines ; 



204 LIFE A1\ T D CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



one house, in St. Louis, having a "branch clothing estab- 
lishment for the supply of the rebels. 

Cavalry reconnoissances were sent out under Colonel 
Lee, and discovered the enemy in force on the Talla- 
hatchie. A skirmish took place on ~N ovember 30th, near 
Abbeville, resulting in the retreat of the rebels to the 
defenses at that place. On the 2d of December, Abbe- 
ville was evacuated, and occupied hy the Union forces. 
A series of skirmishes occurred on December 3d, near 
Oxford, Mississippi, between the Union cavalry advance 
and the rebels, and resulted in the retreat of the latter. 
The cavalry then pushed on after Yan Dorn's retreating 
column, and, on December 4th, drove the rebels out of 
Water Valley, engaging them sharply near Coffeeville, 
on December 5th. 

As the cavalry thus pushed on, they were followed 
by the main army, under General Grant, whose general- 
ship was apparent in every movement. By sending Gen- 
eral Hovey's forces, via Delta, toward the railroad lines, 
he created a panic in the very vicinity through which he 
was marching, making his advance almost a bloodless 
one. The gunboat fleet were also operating along the 
rivers, especially the Yazoo, in which torpedoes had 
been sunk by the rebels, to repel the advance. On 
December 11th, the gunboat Cairo was sunk by the ex- 
plosion of one of these hidden weapons. 

Skirmishes would occasionally take place at the posts 
left behind General Grant in his advance, but he took 
care to have them well guarded, and the brief contests did 
not, at first, interfere with his movements. On December 
12th, a skirmish took place at Corinth, but was hand- 
somely repulsed by Colonel (since General) Sweeny. 

General Grant' s head-quarters had, by this time, been 
removed to Oxford, Mississippi. On the 20th, occurred a 
sad and memorable affair to delay his onward march. 
While he had taken every precaution against surprise, 
in the management of the columns covering many miles of 
the enemy's country, the rebels resolved to make a dash 
at Holly Springs in his rear. He feared it, and tele- 
graphed Colonel Murphy, in command, who was strong 



THE AFFAIE AT HOLLY SPRINGS. 205 



enough to defend the place, that they were after him, and 
that re-enforcements were on the way. The troops from 
Grant were delayed, and on came the rebel cavalry, just 
as the morning beams fell on the quiet town. Two rail- 
road trains, one loaded with cotton, were soon in a "blaze. 
Then the work of pillage and burning was the order of 
the day. 

Colonel Murphy was a coward, and made almost no 
resistance. The troops fought without a leader awhile, 
but in vain. Up and down the streets the raiders went. 
People in their night-clothes rushed out of the houses. 
One man, whose boots had been carried off, in his fright 
put on only his coat containing his money, drawers, stock- 
ings, and spurs, went to the stable, took his horse, and 
rode away. 

December 20th, with all the stores so necessary to the 
advance, General Grant's main forces had to fall back to 
that place, where he located his head-quarters, to recruit 
his supplies. Upon the investigation of the matter con- 
cerning this surrender, General Grant expressed his dis- 
pleasure in the following condemnatory order : — 

HSAD-QCAKTSRS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE. ^ 

Holey Springs, Mississippi, December 24, 1862. S 

It is with pain and mortification that the general commanding reflects 
upon the disgraceful surrender of the place, with all the valuable stores it 
contained, on the 20th instant, and that without any resistance except by a 
few men, who form an honorable exception ; and this, too, after warning 
had been given of the enemy northward, the evening previous. With all 
the cotton, public stores, and substantial buildings about the depot, it 
would have been perfectly practicable to have made, in a few hours, a 
defense sufficient to resist, with a small garrison, all the cavalry force 
brought against them until the re-enforcements, which the commanding 
officer was notified were marching to his relief, could have reached him. 

The conduct of officers and men in accepting paroles, under the circum- 
stances, is highly reprehensible, and, to say the least, thoughtless. By 
the terms of the Dix-Hill cartel, each party is bound to take care of their 
prisoners and to send them to Yicksburg, or a point on the James Eiver 
for exchange, or parole, unless some other point is mutually agreed upon 
by the generals commanding the opposing armies. 

By a refusal to be paroled, the enemy, from his inability to take care 
of the prisoners, would have been compelled either to have released them 
unconditionally, or to have abandoned further aggressive movements for 



206 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

the time being, which would have made their recapture and the discom- 
fiture of the enemy almost certain. 

The prisoners paroled at this place will be collected in camp at once by 
the post commander, and held under close guard until their case can be 
reported to Washington for further instructions. 

Commanders throughout the department are directed to arrest and hold 
as above all men of their commands and all stragglers who may have 
accepted their paroles upon like terms. 

The general commanding is satisfied that the majority of the troops 
who accepted a parole did so thoughtlessly and from want of knowledge 
of the cartel referred to, and that in future they will not be caught in the 
same way. 

By order of Major-General IT. S. Grant. 

As we shall see, tlie affair of Holly Springs entirely 
and fatally deranged General Grant's plan of the expe- 
dition against Vicksburg. 

General W. T. Sherman, a gifted and gallant officer at 
Memphis, was entrusted with a grand expedition down 
the Mississippi River to Yicksburg. He had previously 
made reconnoissances in the vicinity of the Tallahatchie 
Elver. The fleet consisted of one hundred and twenty- 
seven steamers, in addition to the gunboats. The troops 
were Western men, hardy, daring, and fighting volun- 
teers, accustomed to a rough and adventurous life. 

To exclude all refuse material from his magnificent 
army, General Sherman threw over it the protection of 
an edict, severe and characteristic :— 

Head-Quarters Eight Wing Thirteenth Army Corps, f 

MEMFins, Tennessee, December 18, 18G2. ' 

I. The expedition now fitting out is purely of a military character, and 
the interests involved are of too important a nature to be mixed up with 
personal and private business. No citizen, male or female, will be allowed 
to accompany it, unless employed as part of a crew or as servants to the 
transports. Fern file chambermaids to the boats and nurses to the sick 
alone will be allowed, unless the wives of captains and pilots actually 
belonging to the boats. No laundress, officer's, or soldier's wife must pass 
below Helena. 

II. No person whatever, citizen, officer, or sutler, will, on any consid- 
eration, buy or deal in cotton or other produce of the country. Should 
any cotton be brought on board of any transport going or returning, the 
brigade quartermaster, of which the boat forms a part, will take posses- 



GENERAL SHERMAN'S EXPEDITION. 



207 



sion of it, and invoice it to Captain A. R. Eddy, chief quartermaster at 
Memphis. 

HI. Should any cotton or other produce be brought back to Memphis by 
any chartered boat, Captain Eddy will take possession of the same, and 
sell it for the benefit of the United States. If accompanied by its actual 
producer, the planter, or factor, the quartermaster will furnish him with a 
receipt for the same, to be settled for, on proof of his loyalty at the close 
of the war. 

IV. Boats ascending the river may take cotton from the shore for bulk- 
heads to protect their engines or crew, but on arrival at Memphis it will 
be turned over to the quartermaster with a statement of the time, place, 
and name of its owner. The trade in cotton must await a more peaceful 
state of affairs. 

V. Should any citizen accompany the expedition below Helena, in viola- 
tion of these orders, any colonel of a regiment or captain of a battery will 
conscript him into the service of the United States for the unexpired 
term of his command. If he shows a refractory spirit, unfitting him for a 
soldier, the commanding officer present will turn him over to the captain 
of the boat as a deck-hand, and compel him to work in that capacity, with- 
out wages, until the boat returns to Memphis. 

VI. Any person whatever, whether in the service of the United States 
or transports, found making reports for publication, which might reach 
the enemy, giving them information, aid, and comfort, will be arrested, 
and treated as spies. 

By order of Major-Gen eral Shekman. 

Army speculators certainly could not mistake the feel- 
ings and purpose of the commander toward them. 

December 20th his imposing armada moved down the 
Mississippi, with streamers flying and bands of music 
playing ; presenting one of war' s most rare and stirring 
scenes. 

Two days later, December 22d, General Grant made 
the following new arrangement of his forces into corps 
and divisions 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, { 
Hollt Springs, Miss., December 22, 1S62. * 

By directions of the general-in-chief of the array, the troops in this 
department, including those of the Department of the Missouri operating 
on the Mississippi Eivor, are hereby divided into four Army Corps, as 
follows : — 

I. The troops composing the Ninth Division, Brigadier-General G. W. 
Morgan commanding ; the Tenth Division, Brigadier-General A. J. Smith 



208 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



commanding ; and all other troops operating on the Mississippi River 
below Memphis, not included in the Fifteenth Army Corps, will consti- 
tute the Thirteenth Army Corps, under the command of Major-General 
John A. McClernand. 

II. The Fifth Division, Brigadier-General Morgan L. Smith command- 
ing; the Division from Helena, Arkansas, commanded by Brigadier-Gen- 
eral F. Steele ; and the forces in the District of Memphis, will constitute 
the Fifteenth Army Corps, and he commanded by Major-General W. T. 
Sherman. 

III. The Sixth Division, Brigadier-General J. McArthur commanding ; 
the Seventh D'i7ision, Brigadier-General I. F. Quinby commanding ; the 
Eighth Division, Brigadier-General L. F. Ross commanding ; the Second 
Brigade of Cavalry, Colonel A. L. Lee commanding; and the troops in the 
District of Columbus, commanded by Brigadier-General Davies, and those 
in the District of Jackson, commanded by Brigadier-General Sullivan, will 
constitute the Sixteenth Army Corps, and be commanded by Major-Gen- 
eral S. A. Hurlbut. 

IV. The First Division, Brigadier-General J. W. Denver commanding : 
the Third Division, Brigadier-General John A. Logan commanding ; the 
Fourth Division, Brigadier- General J. G. Lauman commanding ; the First 
Brigade of Cavalry, Colonel B. H. Grierson commanding ; and the forces 
in the District of Corinth, commanded by Brigadier-General G. M. Dodge, 
will constitute the Seventeenth Army Corps, and be commanded by Major- 
General J. B. McPherson. 

District commanders will send consolidated returns of their forces to 
these head-quarters as well as to army corps head-quarters, and will, for 
the present, receive orders from department head-quarters. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Geaxt. 

The divisions of Generals McArthur and Quinby, of 
the Sixteenth Army Corps, were transposed, with those 
of Generals Lauman and Denver, of the Seventeenth. 

General Sherman, when he left Memphis, with his 
staff, had his head-quarters on board the Forest Queen, 
which arrived at Friar's Point on December 21st. He 
was, therefore, entirely unaware of the backward steps 
of General Grant, from Oxford to Holly Springs. 





MAJ.-GEK JAMES B. M9PHERS0K 



BRAVERY OF UNION GARRISONS. 



209 



CHAPTER XI. 

DEFENSE OP MILITARY POSTS.— GEN, GRANT'S CONGRATULATION'S. 

Heroic Defense of Military Posts. — The Commanding General's Congratulations. — 
General Sherman Reaches and Attacks Vicksburg. — The Expedition Fails. — 
The Reason. — President's Proclamation. — McClernand at Ticksburg. — Suspect- 
ed Disloyalty of Illinois Troops. — The Regiment Relieved of the Charge. — Army 
Movements. — Attempts to find a Passage through Bayous and Canals to Vicks- 
burg. — The Water-courses Abandoned. 

Several posts in General Grant's rear were attacked 
about the same time as Holly Springs, but were bravely 
defended by their garrisons, and the rebel onslaughts re- 
pulsed. The heroic conduct of our soldiery at these vari- 
ous points of combat, often unequal, drew from the sleep- 
lessly watchful chief a paper quite in contrast with the 
former one — whose burden of sadness and indignation 
again appears, with a brand of cowardice upon the timid 
colonel. Two weeks had elapsed since the shameful oc- 
currence, giving ample time for investigation, and a calm, 
righteous judgment : — 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, I 
Holly Springs, Miss., January 8, 1S63. > 

I. The major-general commanding the department takes just pride and 
satisfaction in congratulating the small garrisons of the posts of Coldwater, 
Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, for the heroic defense of their positions on 
the 20th, 21st, and 24th ultimo, and their successful repulse of an enemy 
many times their number. 

The Ninetieth Illinois, at Coldwater (its first engagement) ; the detach- 
ment of the veteran Twenty-fifth Indiana, and two companies of the Fifth 
Ohio Cavalry, at Davis's Mills ; and the detachment of the gallant Twelfth 
Michigan at Middleburg, are deserving of the thanks of the army, which 
was in a measure dependent upon the road they so nobly defended for 
supplies, and they will receive the meed of praise ever awarded by a grate- 
ful public to those who bravely and successfully do their duty. 

These regiments are entitled to inscribe upon their banners, respec- 
tively, Coldwater, Davis's Mills, and Middleburg, with the names of other 
battlo-fields made victorious by their valor and discipline. 
14 



210 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



It is gratifying to know that, at every point where onr troops made a 
stand during the late raid of the enemy's cavalry, success followed, and the 
enemy was made to suffer a loss in killed and wounded greater than the 
entire garrisons of the places attacked. Especially was this the case of 
Davis's Mills and Middleburg. The only success gained by Van Dorn was 
at Holly Springs, where the whole garrison was left by their commander 
in ignorance of the approach of danger. 

II. Colonel R. C. Murphy, of the Eighth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry 
Volunteers, having, while in command of the post of Holly Springs, Mis- 
sissippi, neglected and failed to exercise the usual and ordinary precau- 
tions to guard and protect the same ; having, after repeated and timely 
warning of the approach of the enemy, failed to make any preparations for 
resistance or defense, or shown any disposition to do so ; and having, with 
a force amply sufficient to have repulsed the enemy and jjrotect the public 
stores intrusted to his care, disgracefully permitted him to capture the post 
and destroy the stores — and the movement of troops in the face of an ene- 
my rendering it impracticable to convene a court-martial for his trial — is, 
therefore, dismissed the service of the United States — to take effect from 
the 20th day of December, 1862, the date of his cow ardly and disgraceful 
conduct. 

By order of • Major-General U. S. Gkant. 

It has been already intimated, that it was impossible 
for General Grant to inform General Sherman of his hu- 
miliating delay ; and it was only to be hoped that, haying 
the moral support of supposing his chief successful, he 
would himself succeed. 

The troops that had retreated before General Grant's 
advance, finding that they were released from the neces- 
sity of further resisting him — as it would have been a fatal 
madness to have pushed on to Jackson without supplies 
— were immediately transported to Yicksburg to oppose 
General Sherman, of whose expedition the rebels had been 
apprised by their sympathizers in Memphis. 

General Sherman proceeded with his part of the 
expedition, and landed a small force, under General 
Morgan L. Smith, at Milliken's Bend. These troops 
proceeded to Delhi and Dallas, on the Yicksburg and 
Texas Railroad, and destroyed the depots and a section 
of the track, to cut off the retreat of the rebels from Yicks- 
burg. 

It is apparent that General Grant' s plan was a splendid 
one ; and, but for the surrender of Holly Springs, must 
have been successful. 



GENERAL SHERMAN'S ADVANCE ON VICKSBURG. 211 



The forces under General Sherman consisted of four 
divisions, and were known as the " Right Wing of the 
Army of the Tennessee." 

At about noon of December 26, 1862, the fleet of trans- 
ports arrived off Johnston's Landing, and under cover of 
the gunboats the men were disembarked ; the armed ves- 
sels having first silenced the battery which the rebels had 
planted. By early morning the whole force, infantry and 
artillery, were landed — the advance having already moved 
some distance inland. 

Vicksburg, from this point of landing, was peculiarly 
situated ; it was on a hill, with a line of hills surrounding 
it at a distance of several miles, and extending from 
Haines's Bluff, on the Yazoo River, to Warrenton, ten 
miles below the city, on the Mississippi River. The low 
country in the vicinity is swamp}^ and filled with sloughs, 
bayous, and lagoons. To approach the city with a large 
force by this route, even in times of peace, would be $ 
matter of great difficulty, and with an enemy in front it 
was well nigh impossible. 

On Saturday morning, December 27, 1862, the army 
was drawn up in line of battle, prepared to make the as- 
sault on the enemy's works. The general advance was 
then commenced from different points, and by dusk the 
enemy was driven at least a quarter of a mile from his for- 
mer position. 

On the 28th, the men fought with great bravery and 
determination ; but the non- arrival of the left wing had 
completely disarranged the plan of battle. The enemy 
had been re-enforced by the troops that had fled from 
before General Grant' s advance ; and the missiles from 
this concentrated body were thrown with great rapidity 
upon General Sherman's lines. The rebels, however, re- 
fused to come from behind their defenses, which, on the 
morning of the 29th, extended not less than two miles 
up the bluffs — the newly-arrived troops having been at 
work during the previous night, throwing up earth- 
work batteries in all directions, and at every assailable 
point. The position was naturally strong, but, by the 
addition of art, it was made completely impregnable 



212 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



against a force so small as that commanded by Gen- 
eral Sherman. In addition, the woods were rilled with 
sharp-shooters, who picked off the officers with great 
rapidity. 

There stood Sherman's " Right Wing of the Army of 
the Tennessee," in the swampy ground between the hills 
and the city ; while the re-enforced enemy rained death 
on their "rank and file," and the minie balls from the 
forest picked off the officers. 

Oyer ditches, in which the horses mired and were left, 
across bloody rifle-pits, through dense woods, and over 
heaps of fallen timber, the columns struggled, to the sound 
ringing above all the tumult, " Forward !" 

During Monday, the 29th, several brilliant charges 
were made on the works ; but all was in vain ; the men 
were outnumbered by the enemy, and could not hold 
the positions, even after they were taken General Blair' s 
brigade, led by himself, on foot, particularly distinguish- 
ed itself, and suffered the greatest loss. As the men, 
swept down by the iron and leaden hail, fell back, the 
last of the brigade lingering behind in the storm was its 
commander. 

After hostilities had ceased, and the slain and wounded 
were borne away under a flag of trace, the pickets had 
their talk : — 

" How far is it to Vicksburg 1" 

Rebel picket. "So far you'll never git thar." 

Federal picket. "How many men have you got ?" 

Rebel picket. "Enough to clean you out." 

Then another rebel, who seemed to be the stump 
speaker of the squad, with a flourish, added : — 

" Banks has been whipped out at Port Hudson, Mem- 
phis has been retaken, and you Yankees will not take 
Yicksburg till hell freezes over." 

And so the conversation went on during the four hours 
of truce. The profane assertion of the rebel was destined 
to be refuted in the heat of the next midsummer. 

Under a flag of truce, the dead were buried and the 
wounded removed ; after which, General Sherman gave the 
order for his troops to re -embark. 



ADJUTANT-GENERAL THOMAS AND EMANCIPATION. 213 



January 1, 1883 ! It was the most memorable New 
Year's Day in the history of the Republic. 

The President's Proclamation of Emancipation, during 
all its winter hours, was flying along telegraphic wires to 
every part of the land. Strong men wept, while others 
could only pray, or sing, or shout. 

Adjutant- General Thomas, clothed with authority to 
carry out that proclamation, soon after started for the 
Southwest, in doubt how he should be received by the 
officers, many of whom were Southern men by birth, or 
life-long sympathy. What General Grant did with the 
words of freedom to millions of slaves will appear in a 
subsequent order. 

Meanwhile, January 3d, General McClernand arrived at 
the head-quarters of General Sherman, causing a change in 
the command, as he ranked General Sherman by over one 
month in the date of his commission ; and an order was at 
once given by the former to withdraw from the Yazoo 
Eiver, where the vessels were stationed, and return to the 
Mississippi River. On thus assuming the command, he 
ordered the title of the army to be changed, and General 
Sherman thus announced the fact : — 

Head-Quakters Eight "Wing Akmt of Tennessee, ) 
Steameu Foeest Queen, Milliken's Bend, January 4, 18G3. > 

Pursuant to the terms of general orders, made this day by General 
McClernand, the title of our army ceases to exist, and constitutes in the 
future the Army of the Mississippi, composed of two army corps, one to be 
commanded by General G. W. Morgan, and the other by myself. In re- 
linquishing the command of the Army of the Tennessee, and restricting my 
authority to my own corps, I desire to express to all commanders, to 
soldiers and officers recently operating before Vicksburg, my hearty thanks 
for their zeal, alacrity, and courage manifested by them on all occasions. 
We failed in accomplishing one purpose of our movement, the capture of 
Vicksburg; but we were part of a whole. Ours was but part of a com- 
bined movement, in which others were to assist. We were on time ; unfore- 
seen contingencies must have delayed the others. We have destroyed the 
Shreveport Road, we have attacked the defenses of Vicksburg, and pushed 
the attack as far as prudence would justify; and, having found it too strong 
for our single column, we have drawn off in good order and good spirits, 
ready for any new move. A new commander is now to lead you. He is 
chosen by the President of the United States, who is charged by the Con- 
stitution to maintain and defend it, and he has the undoubted right to 



214 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



select his own agents. I know that all good officers and soldiers will give 
him the same hearty support and cheerful obedience they have hitherto 
given me. There are honors enough in reserve for all, and work enough 
too. Let each do his appropriate part, and our nation must in the end 
emerge from this dire conflict purified and ennobled by the fires which now 
test its strength and purity. All officers of the general staff now attached 
to my person will hereafter report in person and by letter to Major-General 
McClernand, commanding the Army of the Mississippi, on board the 
steamer Tigress, at our rendezvous at Gaines's Landing and at Montgom- 
ery Point. 

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman. 

For a brief period this portion of the army was not 
nnder the command of General Grant, and, consequently, 
withdrawn from the grand object of the campaign — the 
reduction of Vicksburg. The weakening of the force, 
intended for the enterprise which had for months occupied 
his thoughts, imperiled it, and called forth an application 
to the President to restore the columns to their former 
place, which was successful ; and the two army corps, the 
Thirteenth and Fifteenth, were ordered to report to him. 

They formed the Army of the Mississippi, and were 
taken up the Arkansas and White Rivers, to move against 
Fort Hindeman, a rebel defense commanding the former 
stream. 

The attack upon the batteries at Arkansas Post was 
gallant and victorious. The incessant cannonading was a 
remarkably fine display of skill in heavy gunnery, and the 
storming of the works by the troops a daring and admira- 
ble affair. General McClernand announced the success to 
General Grant, January 11th, in these words : — 

' ' I have the honor to report that the forces under my 
command attacked the Post of Arkansas to-day, at one 
o' clock, having stormed the enemy' s work. We took a 
large number of prisoners, variously estimated at from 
seven thousand to ten thousand, together with all his 
stores, animals, and munitions of war. 

u Rear- Admiral David D. Porter, commanding the 
Mississippi Squadron, effectively and brilliantly co-oper- 
ated, accomplishing this complete success." 

The heroic Porter said of the fleet : — 

"The gunboats Louisville, Be Kalb, Cincinnati, and 



REAR-ADMIRAL PORTER'S REPORT. 



215 



Lexington, attacked the heavy fort at the post, on the 
Arkansas, last night, and silenced the batteries, killing 
twenty of the enemy. 

"The gunboats attacked again this morning, and dis- 
mounted every gun, eleven in all. 

"Colonel Dunnington, late of the United States Navy, 
commandant of the fort, requested to surrender to the 
Navy. I received his sword. 

" The army co-operated on the land side. The forts 
were completely silenced, and the guns, eleven in number, 
were all dismounted in three hours. 

' 1 The action was at close quarters on the part of the 
three iron-clads, and the firing splendid. 

" The list of killed and wounded is small. The Louis- 
mile lost twelve, De Kalb seventeen, Cincinnati none, 
Lexington none, and Rattler two. 

"The vessels, although much cut up, were ready for 
action in half an hour after the battle." 

There were at this time suspicions of disloyalty in one 
of the Illinois regiments, awakened by facts which came 
to light in the investigation of the surrender of Holly 
Springs ; and General Grant met the dangerous spirit 
promptly, ordering a temporary disarming of the troops, 
who, it was believed, had yielded to the influence thrown 
over them by the designing politicians. 

Subsequent and more careful sifting of the statements 
and rumors, by a special court of inquiry convened by 
General Grant early in January, exonerated the regi- 
ment. 

With the high sense of justice and magnanimity which 
have always distinguished the Lieutenant- General, he im- 
mediately had the result read at the head of the regiment, 
designating the few members of it who were guilty of 
dishonorable conduct. In the paper referred to, he assures 
the troops, that "as a regiment they are relieved from all 
suspicion of disloyalty, and placed where the commanding 
general hoped to find it — among the pure and patriotic in 
their country's defense." 

The cavalry, an arm of the service the South knew how 
to wield at the opening of the rebellion much better than 



216 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the North, had begun to do a good work in the army of 
General Grant. During the pause in the movements of 
the grand army which followed the failure of the Yicks- 
Iburg campaigns, there were occasional skirmishes with the 
horsemen. January 8th, a descent was made on a camp 
near Ripley, Tennessee, killing and wounding several 
rebel soldiers, and capturing forty- six, besides horses, 
arms, and camp equipage. The remainder of the force was 
dispersed. The commander at Memphis gave notice that, 
for all guerrilla raids upon Union citizens and communica- 
tions with the city, the resident secessionists should be 
punished in the forfeiture of their property and expulsion 
beyond the extreme limits of the Union army lines. 

General Grant's immediate army, except the special 
posts held at Corinth and elsewhere, was also withdrawn 
from Northern Mississippi, after the diversion of the forces 
acting along the Mississippi River, and the head-quarters 
of the department were located at Memphis. After the 
withdrawal of the army, the rebel guerrilla forces began 
to make raids upon all towns recently held by the Union 
troops, and any one who had shown to Grant's army 
evidences of returning loyalty was summarily punished, 
either in person or property. 

On the 23d of January, the Army of the Mississippi, 
having destroyed all offensive and defensive works at 
Arkansas Post, returned to Memphis, and reported to 
General Grant. 

His hearty support of the President' s proclamation was 
expressed in the following words : — 

" Corps, division, and post commanders will afford all 
facilities for the completion of the negro regiments now 
organizing in this department. Commissaries will issue 
supplies, and quartermasters will furnish stores on the 
same requisitions and returns as are required from other 
troops. 

6 'It is expected that all commanders will especially 
exert themselves in carrying out the policy of the Admin- 
istration, not only in organizing colored regiments, and 
rendering them efficient, but also in removing prejudice 
against them." 



NEW PLANS AGAINST VICKSBUKG. 



217 



On the 29th of January, 1863, General Grant landed a 
portion of his army at Young's Point, Louisiana, and 
another portion at Milliken's Bend. He shortly followed 
these forces, and established his head-quarters at the 
former place — a favorable point at which to control the 
necessary operations in the reduction of the rebel strong- 
hold. He next thoroughly inspected the works, and 
was convinced that it was impossible to take them 
from the water front. A consultation was held with his 
generals, who agreed that the only method that prom- 
ised success was to flank the works on the south side. 

The most serious question was, the means to be adopted 
to transport his forces to the south side of the fortified city. 
The river was completely blockaded above by the works 
on the Walnut Hills and other elevations, and no ad- 
vance could be made from New Orleans in consequence 
of the fortification of Port Hudson. General Grant 
turned his attention to the reopening of the canal first cut 
by General Williams, opposite Vicksburg, across the 
Peninsula on the Louisiana side of the river. If this canal 
had been made successful, transports and gunboats could 
have been taken through it to the south side of the city, 
and the troops and supplies moved to a new base of 
operations. 

The work, however, was of such a herculean nature, 
and was being continually interrupted by the heavy rains 
and the rapid rise of the river, that the number of men 
required to keep the water out of the camps and cuttings 
was much larger than those engaged on the canal, and 
more than could be conveniently detailed for the purpose. 

It now became necessary that the utmost secrecy 
should be used concerning every thing that was done in 
General Grant' s army, and an order was issued to prevent 
any one from being admitted within the lines who did not 
properly belong to the army, and to prohibit those who 
were inside from going beyond the limits : — 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Young's Point, Louisiana, February 12, 1S68. » 

I. The nature of the service the army is now called upon to perform 
making it impracticable to transport or provide for persons unemployed by 



218 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT. 

government, the enticing of negroes to leave their homes to come within 
the lines of the army is positively forbidden. They should be permitted to 
remain at their homes, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Presi- 
dent, "in all cases where allowed to labor faithfully for reasonable wages." 
Those at present within the lines will not be turned out ; but in future, in 
the field, no persons, white or black, who are not duly authorized to pass 
the lines of sentinels, will be permitted to enter or leave camp. 

II. "Whenever the services of negroes are required, details will be made 
by army corps commanders for the purpose of collecting them, and they 
will be registered, provided for, and employed in accordance with law and 
existing orders. 

III. The habit too prevalent of arresting citizens beyond the lines of 
the army, and bringing them into camp without charges, is prejudicial to 
the service, and must not be continued. When citizens are arrested here- 
after without charges being preferred warranting the arrest, the citizen 
will be turned outside the lines, and the officer or soldier causing the 
arrest will be confined, and otherwise punished at the discretion of a 
court-martial. 

IV. No flag of truce will hereafter be allowed to pass our outposts. 
Any message sent under it will be received by an officer and receipted for, 
and the flag directed to return immediately. All answers to such messages 
will be sent under our own flag of truce. 

V. Attention of army corps commanders is particularly called to the 
41st, 42d, 46th, and 50th Articles of War, which will be rigidly enforced. 

Major-General U. S. Geant. 

The Articles of War referred to are as follows : — 

" All non-commissioned officers and soldiers, who shall 
Ibe found one mile from the camp, without leave, in wri- 
ting, from their commanding officer, shall suffer such pun- 
ishment as shall be inflicted upon them by the sentence of 
a court-martial. 

"No officer or soldier shall be out of his quarters, gar- 
rison, or camp, without leave from his superior officer, 
upon penalty of being punished according to the nature 
of his offense, by the sentence of a court-martial. 

' c Any sentinel who shall be found sleeping upon his 
post, or shall leave it before he shall be regularly relieved, 
shall suffer death, or such other punishment as shall be 
inflicted by the sentence of a court-martial. 

"Any officer or soldier who shall, without urgent ne- 
cessity, or without the leave of his superior officer, quit 
his guard, platoon, or division, shall be punished accord- 



WATER-ROUTES TO THE REBEL CITY. 



219 



ing to the nature of his offense, by the sentence of a court- 
martial." 

The hanks of the Mississippi River at this time were 
lined with guerrilla parties, firing upon the supply-boats 
and transports with light field-pieces, and when attacked 
retreating into the jungles and cane-brakes. 

This bandit warfare, the fitting exponent of treason, 
annoyed seriously, but did not interrupt, General Grant in 
his ripening plans for seizing Vicksburg. 

During the early part of February, a reconnoissance 
was made in the neighborhood of Lake Providence, and a 
skirmish took place about five miles from the lake, result- 
ing in the defeat of the rebels. Another occurred at Old 
River, Louisiana, on the 10th of February, with like suc- 
cess. By the reconnoitering, Captain Prime, chief of engi- 
neers on General Grant's staff, ascertained facts that led 
him to believe a water route could be made through the 
bayous which run from near Milliken's Bend, north of 
Yicksburg, and from New Carthage, south of that city, 
into the Tensas River. 

Meanwhile, the work on the Williams Canal was prose- 
cuted with great vigor. On the 8th of March, the over- 
flow of the river broke in the dam at the end of the canal, 
and flooded the whole of the low lands, before the cutting 
could be completed. The season was too far advanced 
to renew the enterprise, and it was abandoned. 

Acting Rear- Admiral Porter's gunboat fleet ably co- 
operated with General Grant in his operations before 
Yicksburg, and, early in February, the ram Queen of tlie 
West, under command of Colonel Ellet, on a reconnois- 
sance, ran by the batteries at Yicksburg, and pushed 
down the Mississippi and up the Red River, which had 
been used by the rebels as a highway for the transporta- 
tion of stores and supplies for the rebel garrisons at Yicks- 
burg, Grand Gulf, Natchez, and Port Hudson ; a source 
of supply which must be cut off before the place could be 
reduced by siege. 

During the first trip Colonel Ellet captured three of the 
enemy' s transports, and then returned to the lower end of 
the Williams Canal. On the 10th of February, Colonel 



220 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Ellet started on a second expedition in tlie same direction, 
and on the 12th arrived at the junction of the Red and 
Atchafalaya Rivers. The latter stream runs from the Red 
River to the Gulf, through a singular, swampy tract of 
country in Louisiana. The Queen of the West, having left 
her tenders "behind in a secure position, started down the 
Atchafalaya, and, after passing about six miles, succeeded 
in destroying an army wagon train, and a quantity of stores, 
ammunition, &c, belonging to the enemy. 

On February 14th, Colonel Ellet captured a rebel steam 
transport on the Red River, at a point about fifteen miles 
above the mouth of the Black River. At the time of her 
capture this rebel vessel had on board two lieutenants and 
fourteen privates of the rebel army, and was laden with 
four thousand five hundred bushels of corn. The prisoners 
were put on shore, and the vessels sent, under guard, to a 
place of safe keeping. 

He then went about thirty miles further up the Red 
River, with the intention of destroying three other steam- 
ers which were lying under the protection of a rebel bat- 
tery. The rebels opened upon the Queen with four pieces 
of artillery, and the pilot having purposely run the vessel 
aground, she was brought within easy range, and so crip- 
pled that she was abandoned, Colonel Ellet and others 
escaping on bales of cotton, while the remainder of those 
on board were capured. 

On the night of the 13th, the United States gunboat 
Inclianola successfully ran by the batteries of Yiclisburg, 
to support the Queen of tlie West; but, after she had 
passed Xatchez, the captain was informed of the capture of 
the latter vessel by those who had escaped. The Indianola, 
under the guidance of Colonel Ellet, who had located his 
head-quarters on the captured vessel fflra, then returned 
toward the Red River, with the intention of destroying the 
battery and retaking the Queen of tlie West. 

On arriving at the mouth of the Red River, it was 
found that the enemy had armed vessels up that stream, 
and it was deemed advisable to return immediately to 
Vicksburg. Colonel Ellet' s vessel was fired upon several 
times while ascending the river. 



THE IXDIAXOLA AND THE REBEL RAMS. 



221 



The Indianola was then detailed to blockade the 
month of the Eed Biver. Barges of coal were floated by 
the batteries, to supply her with fuel. 

At about half-past nine P. m. on February 24th, four 
armed rebel vessels approached the Indianola under 
cover of darkness. The captured Queen of the West, 
which the rebels had armed and manned, and another 
ram, made the first attack upon the Indianola, and in a 
short time the engagement became general at close- quar- 
ter. The other two vessels were merely cotton-clad, 
and not being heavily armed, could do but little damage 
to the Union gunboat. The rebel rains plunged their 
prows into the Indianola, with great violence ; but not 
until the sixth blow was any serious damage inflicted. 

The engagement lasted one hour and twenty-seven 
minutes, after which the Indianola became so injured 
that the captain ran her ashore, and surrendered, first de- 
stroying all documents of value on board. But, before 
the rebels could take possession of their prize, her stern 
had sunk under water, and the guns which had not been 
thrown overboard rendered useless. 

The Indianola was finally destroyed by the rebels 
about the beginning of March, 1863. The following ex- 
tract from the Vicksburg Whig, of March 5, 1863, exrjlains 
the reason of her destruction : — 

"We stated a day or two since that we would not en- 
lighten our readers in regard to a matter which was 
puzzling them very much. We alluded to the loss of the 
gunboat Indianola, recently captured from the enemy. 
We were loath to acknowledge she had been destroyed, 
but such is the case. The Yankee barge sent down the 
river last week was reported to be an iron-clad gunboat. 
The authorities, thinking that this monster would retake 
the Indianola, immediately issued an order to blow her 
up. The order was sent down by a courier to the officer 
in charge of the vessel. A few hours afterward another 
order was sent down countermanding the first, it being 
ascertained that the monstrous craft was only a coal-boat ; 
but before it reached the Indianola she had been blown 



222 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



to atoms — not even a gun was saved. Who is to blame 
for this folly— this precipitancy?" 

About this time the commander at Memphis thought it 
necessary to suppress the circulation of an opposition 
newspaper within the limits of the army lines ; but Gen- 
eral Grant, jealous of the liberty of the press, rescinded 
the order, as soon as he was apprised of it. 

The success of a bayou canal in Missouri, near the 
vicinity of Island Xo. 10, induced the engineers on Gen- 
eral Grant's staff to examine the probable chances of 
success for a similar one, from the bayous above Yicks- 
fourg to those below the city. Captain F. E» Prime and 
Colonel G. G. Pride made a reconnoissance along a por- 
tion of the route, and reported the practicability of the 
plan. General Grant resolved to try the project, if 
for no other purpose than to engage the enemy's atten- 
tion while he matured his own plans. Having more 
troops at Young's Point than could, at that moment, be 
there employed, and aware that Lake Providence was 
connected by Bayou Baxter with Bayou Macon, a nav- 
igable stream, he set the men to work upon the canal 
between the Mississippi and the lake, to keep them from 
demoralizing idleness, and to divert the attention of the 
enemy. 

To a person studying the map it would seem a very 
feasible project to connect the Mississippi River with the 
lake, especially when the level of the former lay some- 
what higher than that of the latter. The lake is situated 
in Carroll County, Louisiana, about one mile west of the 
Mississippi River, which, without doubt, originally flowed 
through its bed, but had changed its course during one of 
the many freaks of Nature by which the channel of that 
great stream had been turned aside from its primary path. 
The length of the lake is about six miles, and it is fed by 
the Bayou Macon and the Bayou Tensas. One point of 
the lake, which is half-moon shaped, approaches nearer to 
the Mississippi River than the other, and at this point the 
canal was cut. It was supposed by the engineers that a 
highway could be made from the Mississippi, seventy-five 
miles above Vicksburg, through Lake Providence, thence 



4 

I 



THE EOUTE BY LAKE PROVIDENCE. 



223 



by the bayous iuto the Tensas River, which fall into 
the Black River at Trinity, Louisiana. The Black River 
falls into Red River, by three channels, at a point about 
thirty miles above the mouth of the latter, which opens 
into the Mississippi River at the northern limit of Point 
Coupee Parish, and at about fifty miles above the fortified 
position of Port Hudson. If this route had been prac- 
ticable, it would have opened a water communication 
between the positions above and below Vicksburg, and 
enabled General Grant to co-operate with General Banks, 
who was preparing to invest Port Hudson. Under cover 
of this engineering movement, General Grant began mov- 
ing his forces below the line of the city, and occupied 
points a short distance inland from the Louisiana shore 
of the Mississippi River. 

The work of opening the Lake Providence route pro- 
gressed rapidly, and one steamer and a number of barges 
were taken through the canal ; but, about the middle of 
April, the Mississippi River began to fall with unusual 
rapidity, and, the roads becoming passable between Milli- 
ken' s Bend and New Carthage, the proposed water route 
was abandoned. 

It is evident from General Grant' s report of the capitula- 
tion of Vicksburg, that he had little faith in the success 
of the Lake Providence scheme, but was willing to try 
it, as, on the whole, a valuable experiment. 

During February, 1863, another and wilder expedition 
was proposed. It was to open a route of water travel be- 
tween the Mississippi River and the Coldwater and Talla- 
hatchie Rivers, through the Yazoo Pass. This pass had 
for many years been unnavigable, stagnant, dreary, and 
wild, and had been almost forgotten. The primary object 
of this expedition was to take a few troops, with some 
light-draft gunboats, to the upper Yazoo River, and de- 
stroy the enemy's transports; but it was discovered, when 
the snags and low timber were cut away, that the navi- 
gation was better than was suspected. The fact suggested 
a flank movement by water upon Haines's Bluff, which 
commanded the Yazoo River a short distance above the 
mouth. 



224 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



On the 24th of February, 1863, the fleet entered the 
Pass, after tearing down that part of the levee of the Mis- 
sissippi that closed up the entrance ; and, by the 28th, 
after a series of dangers, slow traveling, &c, the vessels 
arrived in the Coldwater Biver. 

An extract from an officer of the gunboat Marmora 
will afford a vivid view of the adventure : — 

"The Rubicon is passed. Three and a half days of 
most tedious, vexatious, bothersome, troublesome, and 
damaging steamboating has brought this expedition twen- 
ty miles on its way, and disclosed to its view the end of 
the now famous Yazoo Pass. A more execrable place was 
never known. Should one propose to run a steamboat to 
the moon, he would be considered equally sane, by those 
who had seen the Yazoo Pass before this expedition forced 
its way through it, as the person who proposed this move- 
ment. 

"I would like to describe the Yazoo Pass. I would 
like to compare it to something that would be intelligible. 
But I know of nothing in heaven or on earth, or in the 
waters under the earth, that will compare with it. Had 
the immortal bard desired a subject from which to draw a 
picture of the way that leads to the realms of darkness 
and despair, he had only to picture the Yazoo Pass. Let 
me try, in the feeble language I can command, to describe 
it. Perhaps the reader has passed through the Dismal 
Swamp of Virginia ; or, if not, he has read accounts of 
travelers who have enjoyed that privilege. Then he has 
read of the famous jungles of India. He has seen or read 
of the unbroken silence of the boundless tall forests of the 
J ohn Brown tract in Western New York. Conceive the 
ugliest feature of these three varieties of territory, and he 
will be able, by combining them, to form a tolerably cor- 
rect idea of the region through which the Yazoo Pass runs. 
Those who have watched the course of a snake as he trails 
his way along the ground, winding this way and that, 
hither and yonder, going in all directions at the same 
time, and yet maintaining something of a regular course in 
the average, will, by exaggerating the picture in their 
own minds, understand something of the tortuous course 



Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN 



Enjraved firr Sterlces History of 'die Rebellion 



SCENES AKD SCENERY OF THE YAZOO PASS. 



225 



of the Yazoo Pass. I have passed through it from one 
end to the other> and I assert candidly, that there is not, 
throughout its entire length, a piece two hundred feet 
long of perfectly straight river. 

"The orders under which this expedition moved re- 
quired that boats should keep three hundred yards apart ; 
but there was no place to "be found in the whole stream 
where they could see one-third of this distance ahead or 
behind them. Once, indeed, we did catch a glimpse of 
the Rattler, flag-ship. She was just abreast of us, and 
about one hundred yards away, going in an opposite 
direction to us. We fancied we were close on to her, and, 
as it was near night, concluded to tie up, so as to let her 
get away from us. The next morning we got under way 
at daylight, and just as the sun was at the meridian we 
passed the spot where we had seen our "file leader eighteen 
hours before. 

"Much has been said and written of the efforts put 
forth by the rebels to obstruct this pass. Their labor was 
all thrown away. Mature had placed greater obstructions 
in the way than any enemy could place there, no mat- 
ter how powerful he might have been, or how long he had 
been employed. Cypress and sycamore trees lined the 
banks in great profusion, intermixed with gigantic cotton- 
woods, bearing the wildest entanglement of wild grape- 
vines. The stream itself is never to exceed a hundred 
feet in breadth, and frequently not more than fifty or 
seventy-five. Over this the timber forms a most perfect 
arch, frequently, as good fortune would have it, so high 
as to admit the easy passage of the tall smokestacks be- 
neath it, but sometimes grazing their tops, and again an- 
grily toppling over these intruders. But Providence evi- 
dently did not intend this pass for a military highway. 
Providence opposed the movement, not so much by this 
high arch enclosing the river and shutting it out from 
view, as by the long, jagged limbs it thrust out from the 
trees directly across the channel, and the numerous crook- 
ed and leaning trees that formed a most effective blockade. 

' £ It may be possible, from what I have written, to get 
an idea of the Yazoo Pass. A short account of the trip 

15 



226 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



through it will be more profitable for this purpose. The 
total length of the pass from the Mississippi to the Cold- 
water River is twenty miles. From the Mississippi to the 
east side of Moon Lake, where the pass proper commences, 
is called eight miles, leaving the distance from Moon Lake 
to the Coldwater twelve miles. We left the lake on 
Wednesday morning, the 25th instant, and reached the 
Coldwater this afternoon, just after dinner, making the 
trip in exactly three days and a half ! To be sure, we did 
not travel nights, but we made, usually, about twelve 
hours time each day. This gives the rapid progress of 
one mile in three and a half hours. Does the progress 
made express any thing of the character of the route % If 
it does not, I hardly know what will. In the upper end 
of the pass the stream is confined, and runs along with 
great rapidity through its narrow channel, the rate being 
not less than five or six miles per hour. Lower down 
there are strips of bottom-land along the sides which are 
now overflowed, giving greater width, and consequently 
less rapidity to the current. But in no place were we 
able even to drift with the current. That would inevita- 
bly have dashed us into the timber and have torn our 
boat to atoms. From the time we entered the pass until 
we emerged from it, we could only keep our wheels back- 
ing, and even this was not enough. A small boat was 
requisite on either side, by which lines were passed out 
and made fast to the trees, to check our headway or ease 
us around the sharp bends. The expedition has been face- 
tiously called "the stern- wheel expedition," from the cir- 
cumstance of there being none but stern- wheel boats 
(which are narrower than side- wheel steamers) engaged in 
it ; but it might with equal propriety be called " the back- 
water expedition," or "the hold-back expedition," be- 
cause of our advancing only by holding back. 

"But, with all our care and labor, it has been impos- 
sible to save our boats from much damage. Frequently 
it was impossible to check the headway of a vessel in time 
to save its smokestacks, and away would go these tall 
iron cylinders, crashing through the hurricane-deck, and 
making a complete wreck of the cabin and light upper 



THE VOYAGE THROUGH THE YAZOO PASS. 



227 



works. Again, a huge limb would come crashing and 
smashing along the side, tearing away stanchions and 
"braces, and sometimes even the light bulkheads around 
the upper works. The flag-ship was thus visited, and 
Acting Commander Smith's cabin turned into a complete 
wreck. In fact, all the vessels looked as if they had been 
in a hard-fought battle and had been badly worsted, only 
that none of them were damaged in machinery or hull. It 
has been a most exciting trip ; but I believe, or hear, all 
have survived it save one poor old nigger — a contraband — 
belonging to this vessel. He was lying in his hammock, 
in the sick bay, being on the sick list, when a huge limb, 
broken off by the persistence of our smokestacks, came 
down endwise upon the deck, and, passing through, ad- 
ministered the death blow to poor CufFee." 

The rebels had watchful friends, who informed them 
of the bold attempts to thread the Yazoo Pass, but they 
at first scouted the idea of success, prophesjang the de- 
struction of every vessel connected with the expedition. 
When they learned that the fleet had safely arrived in the 
Coldwater River, with the other part of the stream 
navigable, they began to close up the lower end of 
the Tallahatchie River, into which the former empties. 
They erected a fort across the neck of land formed 
by a change in the course of the stream after the Yala- 
busha had formed a junction with the Tallahatchie. These 
united waters were named the Yazoo River, which, after 
flowing through several hundred miles of country, pours 
its current into the Mississippi River a little above Yicks- 
burg. 

The advance of the expedition under General Ross pro- 
ceeded, without serious interruption, through the Cold- 
water and Tallahatchie Rivers until it reached the newly 
erected fort named Fort Pemberton. The distance from 
the Tallahatchie shores above the defenses, to the Yazoo 
shores below that work, was but a few hundred yards by 
land, but was several miles by water. The fort, having 
been built across the neck, commanded both streams for a 
long distance. The rebels had well chosen their position, 
as the land about the fort was low, and at the time of the 



228 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



expedition was entirely overflowed. General Ross, conse- 
quently, in attacking this work, could riot make use of his 
land forces to reduce it, and had to depend on the armed 
vessels under his command. After an engagement of sev- 
eral hours, the vessels withdrew without silencing the 
battery. 

General Grant, on March 23d, sent orders for the with- 
drawal of the forces. 

Admiral Porter, having made a reconnoissance up 
Steele' s Bayou, and through Black Bayou to Duck Creek, 
reported to General Grant that those water-courses were 
navigable for small gunboats and light transports. It 
was believed that, by following this route, Deer Creek 
could be navigated to Rolling Fork, and thence by the 
Sunflower River into the Yazoo. 

General Grant accompanied Admiral Porter on the 
morning of March 15th, to farther explore the channels. 
The vessel with the two commanding officers proceeded 
along Steele's Bayou — several iron-clads taking the lead 
to prevent a surprise — until it reached the Black Bayou. 
General Grant then returned to Young's Point, to send, 
up a pioneer corps to clear away the overhanging trees, 
which seemed to be the only important obstruction. 

Soon after he had reached Young's Point, a message 
was received from Admiral Porter, requesting the co- 
operation of a good military force. General Grant prompt- 
ly sent to him a division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, 
with General Sherman at its head. The number of steam 
transports suitable for such an expedition were limited ; 
and the largest part of the military force was sent up the 
Mississippi River to Eagle Bend, where the river runs 
within a mile of Steele's Bayou. 

The country was unexplored, delays were inevitable, 
and the enemy had time to obstruct the way ; and, when 
near the completion of the difficult, romantic passage, it 
was reluctantly given up. 

One of the party graphically describes the Bayou : — 

" Large bodies were kept a good distance from the 
fleet, but sharp-shooters would come up behind trees and 
fire, taking deliberate aim at our men. The admiral sent a 



THE PASSAGE OF THE BLACK BAYOU. 



229 



dispatch, back to General Sherman, stating the condition 
of affairs, and a force was at once sent to the relief of the 
gunboats, and to assist in getting them through. They 
made a forced march, skirmishing a part of the way, and 
reaching the gunboats before night of the 22d, a distance 
of twenty-one miles, oyer a terrible road. During the 
day the enemy had been largely re- enforced from the 
Yazoo, and now unmasked some five thousand men — in- 
fantry, cavalry, and artillery. The boats were surrounded 
with rebels, who had cut down trees before and behind 
them, were moving up artillery, and making every exer- 
tion to cut off retreat and capture our boats. A patrol 
was at once established for a distance of seven miles along 
Deer Creek, behind the boats, with a chain of sentinels 
outside of them, to prevent the felling of trees. For a 
mile and a half to Rolling Fork, the creek was full of ob- 
structions. Heavy batteries were on its bank, supported 
by a large force. To advance was impossible ; to retreat 
seemed almost hopeless. The gunboats had their ports all 
closed, and preparations made to resist boarders. The 
mortar-boats were all ready for fire and explosion. The 
army lines were so close to each other that rebel officers 
wandered into our lines in the dark, and were captured. 
It was the second night without sleep aboard, ship, and 
the infantry had marched twenty- one miles without rest. 
But the faithful force, with their energetic leader, kept 
successful watch and ward over the boats and their val- 
uable artillery. At seven o'clock that morning (the 22d), 
General Sherman received a dispatch from the admiral, 
by the hands of a faithful contraband, who came along 
through the rebel lines in the night, stating his perilous 
condition. Leaving a dispatch for General Stuart, who 
was bringing up Ewing's Brigade, and orders for Stuart 
to follow him with the remainder of the division, General 
Sherman at once marched with the Second Brigade and a 
part of the First Brigade, Our gunboats at that time 
were in a bend of the creek, the three regiments of the 
First Brigade had been brought in and placed in position 
near the boats. A rebel battery of fifteen guns was in 
front, at Rolling Fork. The creek was barely the width 



230 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

of a gunboat ; the boats were so close up that only one 
bow -gun apiece, of four, could be used, and then at an 
inconvenient angle — in fact, in only one position — and the 
broadsides of several were useless on account of the bank. 
Our immense superiority of metal was thus rendered almost 
useless for the purpose of engaging an enemy that was 
endeavoring to encircle the admiral's boats. If his rear 
was gained, their superior numbers could board the first 
or the last boat, and, having captured her, use her guns 
with fearful effect on the others. 

' ' About mid-day the enemy commenced moving upon 
us, with the purpose of reaching the bank of the creek 
below the gunboats and below the infantry. General 
Sherman was some six miles distant. The rebels are be- 
lieved to have advanced with about four thousand men. 
It must be borne in mind that our troops were on a belt 
of land which forms the bank of the creek, of not great 
width, back of which the bottom-land was under water 
and impassable. The rebels came down with the inten- 
tion of turning his right and reaching the creek below. 
The gunboats and four mortars opened upon them, as soon 
as they discovered themselves in bodies. This firing em- 
barrassed their movements, and considerably retarded 
them. They debouched through the wood, and became 
engaged with the skirmishers. The fight was beginning 
to be in earnest, but the rebels were gaining ground. The 
object was not a battle, but to pass by our forces. The 
first firing of the gunboats was heard by General Sherman 
near the Shelby plantation. He urged his troops forward, 
and, after an hour' s hard marching, the advance, deployed 
as skirmishers, came upon a body of the enemy who had 
passed by the force which had been engaged. Immediate- 
ly engaging them, the enemy stood a while disconcerted 
by the unexpected attack, fought a short time, and gave 
way. Our forces pressed them, driving them back some 
two miles. The gunboats opened upon them thus hemmed 
in, and the day was ours. The rebels retreated, and the 
gunboats were saved for that day. Our loss was but one 
killed, and none wounded. The loss of the rebels was 
heavy. One shell from a mortar killed twenty-six, as 



THE ENEMY OPPOSE THE PASSAGE OF THE BAYOU. 231 



they were rallying as skirmishers. Another is stated to 
have killed and wounded forty persons. They suffered 
very much ; but, as we did not attempt to occupy 
the field, it cannot be ascertained. It being obvious that 
further advance was impracticable, the boats at once 
commenced moving backward, and made several miles 
that evening:. 

"The next effort of the rebels was, to pass around oui 
lines in the afternoon and night, and throw their whole 
force still further below us. General Stuart, with four 
regiments, marched on Hill' s plantation the same morning, 
having run his transports in the night, and immediately 
advanced one regiment up Deer Creek, and another still 
further to the right. The rebels, who were making a cir- 
cuit about General Sherman, thus found the whole line 
occupied, and abandoned the attempt to cut off the gun- 
boats for that day. Daring the afternoon the troops and 
gunboats all arrived at Hill's plantation. Rebel scouts 
followed them within two miles of the division head-quar- 
ters. During the night the picket, about one-half mile out, 
was attacked by a squadron of cavalry. It immediately, 
upon the return of their fire, fell back. In the afternoon 
of the next day, another regiment was attacked by three 
regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry. Acting 
under instructions to draw them on, and to develop their 
whole force, a skirmish ensued, but they refused to fol- 
low. The enemy, the night before, landed a steamer and 
two flat-boats, loaded with troops and artillery, about six 
miles above. We remained two days at Hill's plantation, 
waiting for the rebels to prepare ; but they would not 
give or receive battle. We embarked on the transports 
and gunboats, and returned. 

"There were destroyed, by our troops and by the reb- 
els, at least two thousand bales of cotton, fifty thousand 
bushels of corn, and the gins and houses of the plantations 
whose owners had obstructed our progress, and joined in 
the warfare. The resources of the country we found am- 
ple to subsist the army at Vicksburg for some length of 
time, and by the destruction of them we crippled the ene- 
my so far. 



232 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



1 ' There were features about this expedition novel and 
exciting. 

"Black Bayou, a narrow stream, heretofore only navi- 
gated by dug-outs, was made of the width of our steamers, 
with great labor of felling trees and sawing stumps below 
the surface. Every foot of our way was cut and torn 
through a dense forest, never before traversed by steam- 
ers. I never witnessed a more exciting and picturesque 
scene than the transportation, on the last day, of the Third 
Brigade, by General Stuart. Crowded with men, the 
steamer, at the highest possible speed, pushed through 
overhanging trees and around short curves. Sometimes 
wedged fast between trees, then sailing along smoothly, a 
huge cypress would reach out an arm and sweep the 
whole length of the boats, tearing guards and chimneys 
from the decks. The last trip through the Black Bayou 
was in a night pitchy dark and rainy. 

4 ' While the adventure was of uncertain success — when 
the result seemed almost accomplished, and when our gun- 
boats were surrounded with an enemy confident of vic- 
tory, and their extrication seemed almost an impossibility 
— officers and men worked with equal alacrity, whether 
in building bridges or making forced marches, both by 
day and in the night. The whole time was used in labor 
— constant and severe. It seems almost a miracle that the 
boats were saved. If Generals Sherman and Stuart, by 
their utmost exertions and labor, had forwarded their 
troops a single half clay later, if the second forced march 
under General Sherman had been retarded a single hour, 
in all human probability the whole force would have been 
lost," 

All these expeditions proved to be excellent feints to 
distract the enemy' s attention ; and if any one of them had 
succeeded it would have been adopted, and might not 
have produced so glorious a result as the final campaign 
and plans of General Grant. In fact, he states in his re- 
port, that the failure of these expeditions "may have been 
providential in driving him ultimately to a line of opera- 
tions which has proved eminently successful." 

The losses inflicted on the enemy in the destruction of 



THE BAYOU EXPEDITIONS NOT AN ENTIRE FAILURE. 233 



supplies, and the withdrawal of certain portions of his 
garrison to meet the expeditionary movements, were of im- 
mense value in his subsequent operations. 

It has often been stated by generals in the field, that 
they had far less dread of the enemy in their front than 
they had of their friends at home. While these prepara- 
tions for the decisive advance of the army were going 
forward, letters to friends were for a time prohibited, to 
prevent information reaching the enemy through a mail 
captured by guerrillas ; and this absence of regular com- 
munication between those in the army and their friends at 
home led the latter to believe that the former were sick. 
An interchange of such news between the friends of vari- 
ous absentees, and the return of a few invalids, settled it 
as a matter of fact that the whole army was dying of dis- 
ease. 

An official inquiry was at once made by the surgeon-in- 
chief, and General Grant, under date of March 6, 1863, 
wrote to Surgeon- General Hammond as follows : — 

"No army ever went into the field better provided 
with medical stores and attendance than is furnished to 
the army before Vicksburg. There was a deficiency in 
volunteer surgeons, but that is now supplied. The hos- 
pital boats are supplied with their own surgeons, nurses, 
and every thing for the comfort of the sick. The purvey- 
or' s department not only has every thing furnished the 
sick, but more than it ever dreamed of was furnished to 
the army, and more than the great majority of men could 
have at home. Then, too, there is not that amount of 
sickness that persons would be led to believe, from the 
statements in the public prints. I question whether the 
health of the St. Louis force is better than that of this com- 
mand. On my arrival here, among the men who had to 
put up with straw for so long a time, and then with camp- 
ing on low ground and in the most terrible weather ever 
experienced, there was for a time, of necessity, a great 
number of sick." 

In addition to this informal note, General Grant for- 
warded an official answer to the inquiries regarding the 



234 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



rumors of sickness among Ms troops, which is a dis- 
passionate, decided refutation of the slanderous reports. 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, ) 
before Yicksburg, March 12, 1863. > 

Brigadier-General W. A. Hammond, Surgeon-General, United States Army : 
Sie : — Surgeon J. R. Smith's letter of the 20th of February is just re- 
ceived, inquiring into the sanitary condition of this command, and asking 
for suggestions for its improvement. I know a great deal has been said to 
impress the public generally, and officials particularly, with the idea that 
this army was in a suffering condition, and mostly from neglect. This is 
most erroneous. The health of this command will, I venture to say, com- 
pare favorably with that of any army in the field, and every preparation is 
made for the sick that could be desired. 

I will refer Surgeon Smith's letter to my medical director for a fuller 
report of the condition of the medical department here. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

The directions given to his quartermasters "by the 
humane and vigilant chief, who, with Sherman, won the 
confidence and love of his troops by caring for their wants, 
are a farther vindication of his military rule against the 
cowardly attacks then made upon his rising fame. 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Young's Point, La., March 27, 1S53. > 

I. The Quartermaster's Department will provide and furnish a suitable 
steamboat, to be called the " United States Sanitary Store-Boat," and put 
the same in charge of the United States Sanitary Commission, to be used 
by it exclusively for the conveyance of goods calculated to prevent disease, 
and supplement the Government supply of stores for the relief of the 
sick and wounded. 

II. No person will be permitted to travel on said boat, except sick 
officers of the army and navy (and they only on permits from their pro- 
per commanding officers), discharged soldiers, and employes of said 
Sanitary Commission ; and no goods whatever, for trading or commercial 
purposes, will be carried on said boat; and no goods will be taken for in- 
dividuals, or with any conditions which will prevent their being delivered 
to those most needing them in the army or navy. 

III. The contents of all packages to be shipped on said United States 
Sanitary Store-Boat will be inspected before shipment by an agent of said 
Sanitary Commission, at the point of shipment, unless an invoice of their 
contents has been received, the correctness of which is assured by the 
signature of some persons of known loyalty and integrity. A statement, 
showing what goods have been placed on board at each trip, will be sent to 
the Medical Director of the Department at these head-quarters. 



GENERAL GRANT AND THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 235 



IV. A weekly statement will also be made by said Sanitary Commission 
to the Department Medical Director, showing what sanitary supplies have 
been issued by said commission, and to whom issued. 

V. All orders authorizing the free transportation of sanitary stores from 
Cairo south, on boats other than the one herein provided for, are hereby 
rescinded. 

Major- General U. S. Grant. 

It became evident to the unwearied and undaunted 
commander, that his favorite flanking movement must 
"be abandoned. His battalions could not get through the 
passes, bayous, and canals into the rear of Vicksburg, and 
seize the railways to Jackson, the capital of the State. 



236 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTEE XII. 

NAVAL MOVEMENTS TOWARD VICKSBURG. 

A new Plan for Seizing the Prize. — Admiral Farragut passes Port Hudson. — 
Description of the Terrific Scene. — The Rams Lancaster and Switzerland make a 
fruitless Attempt to run the Batteries. — The Army Advance. — The Exhausting 
Marches. — Admiral Porter's Ships confront Vicksburg in a night-passage of the 
Works. — The Peril. — The Success and Exultation. 

General Grant now determined to move Ms forces 
"below Vicksburg, on the Louisiana shore, and take the 
rebel works in the rear. March 20, 1863, the great 
movement began : the Thirteenth Corps taking the lead, 
followed by the Seventeenth and Fifteenth, while to the 
Sixteenth Corps was left the charge of the communications 
and supplies. 

General Grant wanted Admiral Farragut to sail above 
Port Hudson, while Admiral Foote went below Vicksburg, 
uniting in the reduction of batteries there, to clear the way 
for Grant, whose troops were to advance down the west 
side of the river ; and otherwise to aid the bold enterprise 
as he might have opportunity. Admiral Farragut at once 
led with his flag-ship, the Hartford, followed by the Rich- 
mond, the Mississippi, the Monongaliela, with the gun- 
boats Kineo, Albatross, and Genesee, and six mortar- 
boats ; the latter were to assist in the bombardment, but 
remain below the batteries. 

The fleet moved toward Port Hudson near the middle 
of March. On the 14th, just after noon, the mortars 
opened their fire on the fortifications, second to none in 
strength but those at Vicksburg, on the Mississippi. A 
detachment of troops was also sent in the rear, to confuse 
the garrison, while the admiral got ready for his night- 
work. Then occurred one of those grand and unusual 
exhibitions of naval warfare, of which the passage of 



THE SPLENDID PASSAGE BY POET HUDSON". 237 

Forts Jackson and St. Philip was unrivaled in terrible 
sublimity. The evening was dark, but Confederate scouts 
had watched the Union fleet, and given notice of prepara- 
tion for some movement to the garrison. 

Immediately a tremendous bonfire was kindled on the 
heights, and poured its flood of lurid light down the 
cannon-bordered bluffs upon the waters just where the 
ships would pass the most formidable works. In the re- 
flected flames, each vessel and its motions would be dis- 
tinctly visible as in the light of day. It was a crisis to try 
not only the metal of ordnance, but that of the admiral' s 
character. He had never quailed in the moment of peril, 
and now was calmer than ever. Right onwai*d toward the 
flashing surface, over which frowned the heaviest rebel 
cannon, his squadron advanced. 

A description of what followed is finely given in a 
letter penned on board the Richmond — a most graphic? 
vivid picture of the naval action. 

"We had left the mortar-boats well astern, when a 
sulphurous light was seen gleaming on the shore, on our 
port side. Flashing up for a moment, a dull explosion 
followed. It was evidently an imperfect rocket. Another 
was essayed ; but, instead of ascending, it ran along the 
surface of the river close to the bank. A little further up 
a third was tried, and with complete success. It ascended 
high in the air, where it burst in the usual manner. In- 
stantaneously it was answered by a field-piece from the 
opposite shore, aimed at the Hartford. The admiral was 
not slow in returning the compliment. Three or four 
guns fired from the flag- ship in rapid succession testified 
to the alacrity with which the wager of battle was ac- 
cepted. 

' ' The return of the rebel fire by the Hartford was 
promptly followed up by a hot fire from the artillery 
pieces of the rebels, and quite a brisk action ensued be- 
tween them. The scene, as viewed from the Richmond, 
was both brilliant and spirited. The flashes of the guns, 
both on shore and afloat, were incessant, while the roar of 
cannon kept up a deafening and almost incessant sound. 
Great judgment was here necessary to prevent the Rich- 



288 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



mond from running into the Hartford, and, in fact, to 
keep the war- vessels generally from running into each 
other. 

"And now was heard a thundering roar, equal in vol- 
ume to a whole park of artillery. This was followed by a 
rushing sound, accompanied by a howling noise that beg- 
gars description. Again and again was the sound repeat- 
ed, till the vast expanse of heaven rang with the awful 
minstrelsy. It was apparent that the mortar-boats had 
opened fire. Of this I was soon convinced on casting my 
eyes aloft. Never shall I forget the sight that then met 
my astonished vision. Shooting upward at an angle of 
forty -five degrees, with the rapidity of lightning, small 
globes of golden name were seen sailing through the pure 
ether — not a steady, unfading flame, but confiscating like 
the fitful gleam of a fire-fly — now visible and anon invisi- 
ble. Like a flying star of the sixth magnitude, the terri- 
ble missile — a thirteen-inch shell — near its zenith, up and 
still up — higher and higher. Its flight now becomes much 
slower, till, on reaching its utmost altitude, its centri 
fugal force becomes counteracted by the earth's attraction, 
it describes a parabolic curve, and down, down it comes, 
bursting, it may be, ere it reaches terra fir ma, but proba- 
bly alighting in the rebel works ere it explodes, where it 
scatters death and destruction around. But while the 
mortar-boats were at work, the Essex was not idle. Un- 
manageable as she is, especially in so strong a current, 
she did not follow the rest of the fleet, but remained at 
the head of the 'bummers,' doing admirable service with 
her heavy guns. 

"All this time the Richmond had to hang back, as 
Admiral Farragut seemed to be so enamored with the 
sport in which he was engaged as to be in no hurry to 
pass by. Once or twice, in consequence of the dense 
column of smoke that now rolled over the river, our bow- 
sprit was almost over the taffrail of the Hartford, and 
there was an incessant call on the part of Second-Lieuten- 
ant Terry, who commanded the forward part of the ship, 
to stop the engines. And here I may as well say that this 
gallant young officer behaved in the most chivalrous man- 



THE BROADSIDES OF THE RICHMOND. 239 

ner throughout the entire engagement, cheering on the 
men, and encouraging them, by his example, to stand to 
their guns like men, though little of this they required to 
induce them to perform their whole duty. 

" The Richmond had by this time got within range of 
the rebel field-batteries, which opened fire on her. I had 
all along thought that we would open fire from our bow- 
guns, on the top-gallant forecastle, and that, after dis- 
charging a few broadsides from the starboard side, the 
action would be wound up by a parting compliment from 
our stern- chasers. To my surprise, however, we opened 
at once from our broadside guns. The effect was start- 
ling, as the sound was unexpected ; but beyond this I 
really experienced no inconvenience from the concussion. 
There was nothing unpleasant to the ear, and the jar to 
the ship was really quite unappreciable. It may interest 
the uninitiated to be informed how a broadside is fired 
from a vessel of war. I was told on board the Richmond 
that all the guns were sometimes fired off simultaneously, 
though it is not a very usual course, as it strains the ship. 
Last night the broadsides were fired by commencing at the 
forward gun, and firing all the rest off in rapid succession, 
as fast almost as the ticking of a watch. The effect was 
grand and terrific ; and, if the guns were rightly pointed 
—a difficult thing in the dark, by-the-way — they could 
not fail in carrying death and destruction among the 
enemy. 

" Of course we did not have every thing our own way, 
for the enemy poured in his shot and shell as thick as 
hail. Over, ahead, astern, all around us flew the death- 
dealing missiles, the hissing, screaming, whistling, shriek- 
ing, and howling of which rivaled Pandemonium. It 
must not be supposed, however, because our broadside- 
guns were the tools we principally worked, that our bow 
and stern-chasers were idle. We soon opened with our 
bow eighty-pounder Dahlgren, which was followed up 
not long after by the guns astern, giving evidence to the 
fact that we had passed some of the batteries. 

"While seated on the ' fish-davit,' on the top-gallant 
forecastle-— the Hartford and the Richmond blazing away 



240 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



at the time — a most fearful wail arose from the river ; first 
on our port-bow, then on the beam. A man was evidently 
overboard, probably from the Hartford or the Genesee, 
then just ahead. The cry was : ' Help, oh ! help V ' Help, 
oh ! help !' ' Man overboard,' called out Lieutenant 
Terry ; 'throw him a rope.' But, poor fellow, who could 
assist him in such a strait ? We were in action ; every 
man was at his gun ; to lower a boat would be folly ; in 
fact, it could not be done with any hope of success. Con- 
sequently, although the man was evidenfly a good swim- 
mer, to judge by his unfailing cries for help for a long 
time, nothing could be done to rescue him, and he floated 
astern of us, still sending up that wailing cry for help, but 
without effect. The terrible current of the Mississippi was 
too much for him, and he, without doubt, sank beneath 
the waves of the mighty river. 

"Just after this fearful incident firing was heard astern 
of us, and it was soon ascertained that the Monongaliela, 
with her consort, the Kineo, and the Mississippi were in 
action. The Monongahela carries a couple of two hun- 
dred-pounder rifled Parrott guns, besides other ticklers. 
At first I credited the roar of her amiable two-hundred 
pounders to the 'bummers,' till I was undeceived, when I 
recalled my experience in front of Yorktown last spring, 
and the opening of fire from similar guns from Wormley' s 
Creek. All I can say is, the noise was splendid. The 
action now became general. The roar of cannon was in- 
cessant, and the flashes from the guns, together with the 
flight of the shells from the mortar-boats, made up a com- 
bination of sound and sight impossible to describe. To 
add to the horrors of the night, while it contributed toward 
the enhancement of a certain terrible beauty, dense clouds 
of smoke began to envelope the river, shutting out from 
view the several vessels, and confounding them with the 
batteries. It was very difficult to know how to steer to 
prevent running ashore, perhaps right under a rebel bat- 
tery, or into a consort. Upward and upward rolled the 
smoke, shutting out of view the beautiful stars, and ob- 
scuring the vision on every side. Then it was that the 
order was passed: 'Boys, don' t fire till you see the flash 



THE HARTFORD IN THE SMOKE OF BATTLE. 241 

from the enemy' s guns.' That was our only guide through 
the 'palpable obscurity.' 

"But this sole dependence on the flashes was likely to 
be attended with serious consequences, as the following 
incident will show : 

"We had got nearly into the middle of the hornet's 
nest, when an officer on the top-gallant forecastle called 
out : ' Ready with the port-gun.' The gun was got ready 
and pointed, and was about to be discharged, when Lieu- 
tenant Terry called out : ' Hold on ; you are about to fire 
into the Hartford.'' And such was the fact ; for the flash 
of the Hartford' s guns at that moment revealed the spars 
and rigging of that vessel. Consequently the gun was not 
fired, nor was it discharged during the engagement, the 
fighting being confined entirely to the starboard side. 

"Still the fight went on, and still the roar of cannon, 
and the screaming, howling, whistling of shot and shell 
continued to make 'night hideous.' Still, too, the pure 
atmosphere was befouled with the smell of 'villainous 
saltpetre' and obscured with smoke, through the opaque 
mass of which the stars refused to twinkle. Intermingled 
with the boom of the cannonade arose the cries of the 
wounded and the shouts of their friends, suggesting that 
they should be taken below for treatment. So thick was 
the smoke that we had to cease firing several times ; and 
to add to the horrors of the night it was next to impossible 
to tell whether we were running into the Hartford or 
going ashore, and, if the latter, on which bank, or whether 
some of the other vessels were about to run into us or into 
each other. All this time the fire was kept up on both 
sides incessantly. It seems, however, that we succeeded 
in silencing the lower batteries of field-pieces. The men 
must have been driven from their guns ; and no wonder 
if they were, in that terrific storm of iron. 

" While a brisk fire was kept up from the decks of the 
several vessels, the howitzers in the tops were not per- 
mitted to remain idle. Intermingled with the more sullen 
roar of the larger guns, the sharp, short crack of the brass 
pieces was heard from their elevated positions, adding 
harmony to the melody of the terrific concert. 

16 



242 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

"The phrase is familiar to most persons who have 
read accounts of sea-fights that took place about fifty 
years ago ; but it is difficult for the uninitiated to realize 
all the horrors conveyed in ' muzzle to muzzle.' For the 
first time I had, last night, an opportunity of knowing 
what the phrase really meant. Let the reader consult 
the map, and it will be seen that the central battery is 
situated about the middle of the segment of a circle I have 
already compared to a horseshoe in shape, though it may 
be better understood by the term ' crescent.' This battery 
stands on a bluff so high that a vessel in passing immedi- 
ately underneath cannot elevate her guns sufficiently to 
reach those on the battery ; neither can the guns on the 
battery be sufficiently depressed to bear on the passing 
ship. In this position the rebel batteries on the two 
horns of the crescent can enfilade the passing vessel, 
pouring in a terrible cross-fire, which the vessel can re- 
turn, though at a great disadvantage, from her bow and 
stern chasers. 

"We fully realized this last night; for, as we got 
within short-range, the enemy poured into us a terrible 
fire of grape and canister, which we were not slow to re- 
turn — our guns being double- shotted, each with a stand 
of both grape and canister. Every vessel in its turn was 
exposed to the same fiery ordeal on nearing the centre 
battery, and right promptly did their gallant tars return 
the compliment. This was the hottest part of the engage- 
ment. We were literally muzzle to muzzle, the distance 
between us and the enemy's guns being not more than 
twenty yards, though to me it seemed to be only as many 
feet. In fact, the battle of Port Hudson has been pro- 
nounced by officers and seamen who were engaged in it, 
and who were present at the passage of Fort St. Philip 
and Fort Jackson, below New Orleans, and had partici- 
pated in the fights of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Island 
No. 10, Vicksburg, &c, as the severest in the naval 
history of the present war. 

"Shortly after this close engagement we seemed to 
have passed the worst. The enemy's shot and shell 
no longer swept our decks like a hail- storm ; but the fire 



GALLANTRY OF THE OFFICERS OF THE RICHMOND. 243 



from the batteries was kept up in a desultory manner. 
The starboard bow-gun could no longer be brought to 
bear. Consequently Lieutenant Terry ordered the men on 
the top-gallant forecastle to leave the guns in that part of 
the ship, and to descend to the main deck to help work 
the broadside guns. Our stern-chasers, of course, were 
still available, for the purpose of giving the enemy a 
parting blessing. I left my station on the top-gallant 
forecastle shortly after the men who had been working 
the bow- guns, and passed under where I had been sitting, 
taking up my station on the port side, just opposite the 
forward gun on the starboard side, where but a few min- 
utes before a shell had exploded. 

" I was not long in this position when there came a 
blinding flash through the very port I was opposite to, 
revealing a high bank right opposite, so close that a 
biscuit might have been tossed from the summit on 
board the Richmond. Simultaneously there came a loud 
roar, and I thought the shot had passed througli the 
port I was opposite to. Indeed, so close were we to the 
battery that the flash, the report, and the arrival of the 
shot, crashing and tearing through our bulwarks, were 
instantaneous, there being not the intermission of a second 
between. 

' 1 It must have been about this time that Lieutenant- 
Commander Cummings, the executive officer of the Rich- 
mond, was standing on the bridge that connects the star- 
board with the port gangway, with his speaking-trumpet 
in his hand, cheering the men. Near him stood Captain 
Alden, when a conical shot of large calibre passed through 
the hammocks, over the starboard gangway, taking off the 
left leg of the lieutenant just above the ankle, battering 
his speaking-trumpet (a prize) flat, and knocking Captain 
Alden down with the windage, and went through the 
smoke-stack. Mr. Cummings was immediately taken be- 
low, where his wound was promptly attended to by Dr. 
Henderson, the ship's surgeon, but not before the brave 
young man had lost a large quantity of blood on his way 
down. On being carried below he used the following 
patriotic words, which are worthy of becoming historical : 



244 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



' 1 would willingly give my other leg so that we could but 
pass the batteries.' 

"The Rev. Dr. Bacon, the loyal rector of Christ 
Church, New Orleans, who was acting as chaplain on 
board the Richmond, was on the bridge when Mr. Cum- 
in ings received his terrible wound. He fortunately es- 
caped unhurt, though he had been all over the ship, in 
the thickest of the fight, carrying messages, and exhorting 
and encouraging the men. 

" It was no easy matter, in the midst of such a dense 
cloud of smoke, to know where to point our guns. Even 
the flashes of the enemy' s guns shone dimly through the 
thick gloom. Several times the order was given to cease 
fire, so as to allow the smoke to clear away ; but, as 
there was scarcely a breath of wind stirring, this was a 
Very slow process ; still the order was necessary, to pre- 
vent the several vessels from running into each other. In 
this respect the rebels had a decided advantage over us ; 
for while they did not stand in danger of collision, neither 
was there any apprehension of firing into their friends. 
The wide river was before them, and if they did not hit 
our vessels at each discharge, they could but miss at the 
worst. 

" Matters had gone on this way for nearly an hour and 
a half— the first gun having been fired at about half-past 
eleven o'clock — when, to my astonishment, I heard some 
shells whistling over our port side. Did the rebels have 
batteries on the right bank of the river % was the queiy 
that naturally suggested itself to me. To this the re- 
sponse was given that we had turned back. I soon 
discovered that it was too true. Our return was, of 
course, more rapid than our passage up. The rebels did 
not molest us much, and I do not believe one of their 
shots took effect while we were running down rapidly 
with the current. 

"We were soon quietly at anchor, and were busy dis- 
cussing the events of the fight, exchanging congratulations 
and comparing notes, when the lookout-man in the main- 
top hailed the deck as follows : — 

«<On deck, there !' 



THE MISSISSIPPI ON FIRE. 



245 



" < Hallo!' 

" 4 A large fire ahead 
" 4 Where away V 
" ' Just above the bend.' 
" 8 What is it like V 
" 'Like a fire-raft.' 

"On this, Captain Alden, to whom the circumstance 
was duly reported by the officers of the deck, sings out : — 

" ' Keep a good lookout. Man the bow-guns, and 
stand by to slip the cable.' 

" Shortly after this, a small steamer came down, the 
master of which informed Captain Alden that the Missis- 
sippi was on fire. 

"In the dense smoke that prevailed, excluding every 
object from view, the glorious old Mississippi went 
ashore right opposite the centre and worst battery. She 
was soon discovered by the enemy. Up to this time she 
had not sustained any serious injury. She now became a 
standing target for the whole range of rebel batteries. 
The rebels began to pour into her a perfect shower of shot 
and shell, which was promptly returned by the Missis- 
sippi. This murderous work continued for half an hour. 
Finding it impossible to escape, Captain Smith judicious- 
ly, but reluctantly, gave orders to set the ship on fire, to 
prevent her falling into the hands of the rebels. Accord- 
ingly her after-part was fired, the rebels all the time con- 
tinuing to pour in their shot and shell as fast as they 
could bring their guns to bear. During this part of the ; 
contest no fewer than two hundred and fifty rounds were 
fired from the Mississippi. The artillery practice of the 
rebels would have been worthy of a better cause. The 
Mississippi was riddled through and through. Four men 
were known to have been killed ere the ship was aban- 
doned. Among them was Acting Master Kelly, the whole 
of whose abdomen was shot away. Three were ascer- 
tained to have been wounded. There may have been 
some more casualties, but it is impossible to tell to what 
extent at present, though a great many exaggerated stories 
are afloat on the subject. Several were known to have 
jumped overboard soon after the ship was set on fire, 



246 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and there can be no doubt that some of them were 
drowned. 

" Soon after the vessel had been fired two shells came 
crashing through her, exploding and setting fire to some 
turpentine and oil which they upset. This caused the 
flames to spread, whereupon a masters mate hurried on 
to the gun-deck and reported that the flames had reached 
the entrance to the magazine. The ship was then at once 
abandoned, and all hands on board, including the wound- 
ed men, were put on shore on the bank of the river oppo- 
site Port Hudson. This was accompanied by a deafening 
yell of exultation from the rebels, on perceiving the blazing 
up of the fire. The Mississippi burned till she became 
lightened, to which the removal of nearly three hundred 
men contributed, when she swung off into deep water. 
She had grounded with her head up stream ; but on 
swinging off she turned completely round, presenting her 
head down the river, which position she retained till she 
blew up. 

"At length it was reported on board the Richmond 
that the Mississippi was coming down, and we all turned 
out on the poop- deck to see the sight. It was a most mag- 
nificent spectacle. From the midships to the stern the 
noble vessel was enveloped in a sheet of flame, while fire- 
wreaths ran up the shrouds, played around the mainmast, 
twisted and writhed like fiery serpents. Onward she 
came, keeping near to the right bank, still bow foremost, 
as regularly as if she was steered by a pilot. It was, in- 
deed, a wonderful sight. Captain Smith, her recent com- 
mander, and several of her officers, who had by this time 
arrived on board the Richmond, assembled on the poop- 
deck, their emotion almost too great for words. Next to 
his wife, children, or sweetheart, there is nothing that a 
sailor loves more than his ship — nothing that he regrets 
the loss of so much ; and, in the absence of the above- 
mentioned domestic ties, his ship is to him wife, child, 
and sweetheart. The feeling of regret at the loss of his 
ship is enhanced when, as in the case of the Mississippi, 
the gallant craft has achieved historical renown. No won- 
der, then, that the officers of the Mississip>pi should feel 



NAVAL PYEOTEOHNIOS. 



247 



a sinking at the heart on witnessing the destruction of 
their floating home, while they were powerless to save 
her. 

"As she arrived opposite the port-side of the Ricli- 
mond, some apprehension was entertained that her port 
broadsides might give us a parting salute of not a very 
agreeable nature. Captain Smith assured Captain Alden, 
however, that her port-guns had all "been discharged. 
Just as she had cleared us, her starboard guns began to 
go off. This was accompanied by the explosion of the 
shells she had on deck, ready for use. These exploded 
at short intervals. The flames now began to increase in 
volume from amidships to the stern, and the howitzer on 
the maintop was discharged with the heat. Majestically 
the gallant craft — gallant even in its last moments — moved 
down the stream, till, turning the bend at the lower part 
of Prophet Island, she was hidden from our view, and 
nothing more was seen but a white glare, shooting up 
skyward. Shell after shell still exploded at intervals, 
and thus a couple of hours passed away till the Missis- 
sippi was some eight or ten miles below the Richmond. 
The shells now begin to explode more rapidly, indicating 
that the fire has reached the shell-room, and cannot be far 
from the powder-magazine. This proves to be the fact ; 
for presently a sudden glare of bright flame shoots up- 
ward toward the zenith, spreading skyward, in the form 
of an inverted cone ; an interval of a few seconds elapses ; 
then comes a stunning roar, causing the Richmond to 
tremble from truck to keelson, and the gallant Missis- 
sippi, that so long 'has braved the battle and the breeze,' 
is no more ; all that remains of her is sunk in the bosom 
of the mighty river from which she derived her name. 

" Passing through the starboard side of the Richmond, 
amidships, a conical eighty-pounder passed through a pile 
of cordage on the berth-deck, narrowly missing some 
powder-boys who were handing up ammunition. Thence 
it entered the machinery-room, passing through and 
smashing the steam-drum, and damaging both safety- , 
valves, so as to prevent them from closing. Taking its 
course under the steam-chest, the shot came out on the 



248 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



other side, wlien it "broke in two, and both pieces dropped 
below. Here I may take this opportunity of mentioning 
that Confederate iron, in these regions, is a very inferior 
metal. It is not half smelted, but right in the center are 
large stones. 

' i Early this morning the decks of the Miclimond pre- 
sented a melancholy spectacle. Where the two men fell 
there was a great pool of clotted gore, which I saw a sea- 
man tossing overboard with a shovel. The whitewashed 
decks, too, were any thing but tidy ; but, hey ! presto ! 
as if by magic, the stalwart arms of some two or three 
hundred men, with the aid of a plentiful supply of Mis- 
sissippi water, have made every thing as clean and neat 
as a lady's boudoir. The bodies of the two men who 
were killed have been removed forward, and to them has 
been added the body of the boatswain's mate, who lost 
both legs and an arm, and who has since died. The 
three bodies have been neatly sewed up in their ham- 
mocks, and they are to be put into coffins for interment on 
shore. Headboards, with their names inscribed on them, 
will be placed at the heads of their graves, so that the 
bodies may be reclaimed at any time by their friends or 
relatives." 

On the 25th of March, the rams Lancaster and Switzer- 
land attempted to run the batteries at Yicksburg, but were 
so crippled in the attempt that the former was sunk, and 
the latter disabled. The rams had been made by altering 
river steamers, and were too light to withstand the shock 
of a heavy fire from such batteries as those at Yicks- 
burg. 

Two days later, Admiral Farragnt engaged the bat- 
teries at Warrenton, and succeeded in passing below them, 
en route for Red River. April 1st he had a similar en- 
counter at Grand Gulf, and went down the current accom- 
panied by the Albatross and Switzerland, arriving at its 
mouth on the evening of the 2d. 

In the mean time the army kept on the move, and on 
the 30th of March, Richmond, a village of Madison County, 
Louisiana, and on a direct line witli Vicksburg, a few 
miles inland from the Mississippi River, was taken pos- 



DIFFICULTIES OF THE MARCH. 



249 



session of by a portion of the Thirteenth Army Corps, who 
drove out the rebel cavalry after two hours' sharp lighting. 
The corps then pushed on toward New Carthage. The 
roads, although level, were in a very bad condition, and 
the march was necessarily slow and tedious. It was im- 
portant that supplies and ammunition should travel with 
this corps, and consequently the movements were con- 
siderably delayed, as it became at times necessary to drag 
the wagons by hand. 

When the corps was within two miles of New Carthage, 
it was found that, in consequence of the recent floods and 
the breaking of the levee of Bayou Yidal, that place was 
isolated, and located on an island. Boats were collected 
from the neighboring bayous, and barges were built ; but 
by this method the progress of the army was too slow for 
the purpose intended. The corps was therefore marched 
to Perkins' s plantation, twelve miles below New Carthage, 
and thirty-five miles from the point of starting. Over 
these thirty -five miles, supplies and ordnance stores had to 
be transported ; and as the roads were soft and spongy, 
owing to the floods, the labor of this movement is almost 
inconceivable. Provisions and ammunition had to be 
hauled in wagons, and until a sufficient quantity had 
reached the camp near the Mississippi River, below Vicks- 
burg, it would have been impossible to have commenced a 
campaign, if a successful issue was to be desired. 

The terrible gauntlet now to be run was the passage 
by Admiral Porter of the batteries at Vicksburg. The 
serious question was, "How can the gunboats, and the 
transports to convey the soldiers over the river, under 
the command of Admiral Porter, get by the terraces of 
dark-mouthed cannon overlooking the water at Vicks- 
burg 3" 

April 16th shone serene and cloudless upon the flash- 
ing tide of the majestic river of the West. At eleven 
o'clock that night, eight gunboats and six transports were 
to try the mettle of the Confederate Gibraltar. 

Men were called for, willing to go into the jaws of 
destruction. The brave fellows rushed, with a hurrah, to 
the decks. All was ready. The signal-bell struck eleven. 



250 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Oil, that kindly clouds would eclipse even the stars, and 
fling their shadows on the devoted ships! But not a 
speck obscured the vernal sky. The steamers in sight 
were thronged to watch the scene ; and the suspense was 
painful among the crowds. "A boat is coming!" are 
words which sent a shudder of apprehension through 
every heart. Slowly, darkly, steadily, it stole along the 
Louisiana shore, lost in foliage shadow. Then it steered 
across to the Mississippi side ; and another spectral form 
floated into view ; another, and yet another, emerged from 
the gloom of night and distance. 

Midnight came, and the procession of fourteen vessels 
moved, in darkness and silence, straight toward Vicksburg, 
whose battlements loomed red through the gloom, relieved 
only by an occasional light. The boats were fireless and 
lampless. Hopes and fears agitated the hearts and came 
to the lips of the spectators. Would those strong ships 
and brave men go down under the fiery storm of a hun- 
dred echoing guns, or ride safely through ? 

Up shot a flame, and the thunder of ordnance succeeded 
it. The enemy had discovered the bold navigators. The 
rows of fire, followed with the roar, down from the crest 
of the fortress to the water' s edge, flashed on the path of 
the undismayed warriors of the waters. Just at this 
moment, a rising, steady flame above the city lit up the 
theater of conflict. High and broad it waved like a lumin- 
ous banner against the sky. 6 ' Vicksburg is on fire ! ' ' 
was the shout. No ; on the heights the foe had kindled a 
beacon, to show them where to strike the advancing line 
of boats. The intense glare made a rope' s shadow on the 
bright deck visible. But too late was the blaze thrown on 
the track of the leviathans. 

The rebels were in a fever v of excitement. Porter's 
fleet must not join Farragut, if shot and shell could pre- 
vent it. Hiss ! whirr ! crash ! was the music of the death 
carnival. 

The beacon went out, and another flame brightened on 
the gloom, through volumes of uprolling smoke. The 
transport Henry Clay had caught from a burning shell. 

Soon the long line of blazing battlements from Vicks- 



THE GAUNTLET SAFELY RUN. 



251 



burg to Warrenton grew dark and still, and the beholders 
retired to wait for the morning news. The tidings that 
the fleet was safe — the damage small, and only one hero 
killed, with two others wounded — filled many eyes with 
tears of joy. The ships, excepting the Henry Clay, were 
floating securely on the quiet waters between the scarred 
fortress and iNew Carthage. General Grant's heart beat 
lighter, with hope in the success of this last and boldest 
design upon Vicksburg. 



252 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

CAVALRY MOVEMENTS.— THE ADVANCE 

The Cavalry Enter the Lists in Daring Adventures. — Colonel G-rierson's Great 
Raid. — Strange and Amusing Scenes. — The Cavalry Generals. — The Army ad- 
vance. — Porter's Fleet Co-operates. — The March. — A Battle. — Occupation of 
Port Gibson. — Telegrams of General Grant and Governor Yates. — Feints to de- 
ceive the Enemy. — General Sherman's Movements. — General Grant's care of his 
Army. 

Before leaving the north side of Vicksburg, to take 
command of his army in person, General Grant determined 
to cut all the enemy's communications with that city, to 
secure his columns from an attack in the rear, should it 
become necessary to invest the place. He therefore de- 
tailed the First Cavalry Brigade, under Colonel B. H. 
Grierson, for this enterprise. 

April 17, 1863, the enthusiastic horsemen galloped 
away in the starlight from La Grange, Tennessee. Two 
o' clock in the morning found them on the road to Ripley, 
Mississippi, thirty miles distant, which they reached at 
nightfall. Dismounting, the heroes bivouacked for brief 
repose. At eight o'clock the next morning, they were 
beyond Ripley, hastening toward New Albany. A single 
battalion occupied this place, while the main body passed 
eastwardly, but all encamped within four miles of the 
town. 

The next day they rode off to their work on the rail- 
ways, crossing forests, open fields, and frightful swamps ; 
now flying yonder, to deceive the rebels in regard to the 
real design, and then in the opposite direction, tearing up 
a track, capturing a train, or burning a mill. Amusing 
scenes enlivened the raiders' wild career. Some of them, 
stopping at a wealthy planter's house, who was also a 
guerrilla, passed themselves off as Van Dorn's men; for 
many of our soldiers, in these adventures, wore " secesh" 



COLONEL GPJEESON'S RAID. 



253 



uniforms. Finding splendid horses in Ms barn, they 
began to change the saddles from their tired steeds to the 
backs of his. 

"Can't spare 'em, gentlemen! can't let these horses 
go ! " protested the planter. 

" We must have them. Yon want lis to catch the 
Yankees, and we shall have to hurry to do it," replied the 
raiders. 

"All right, gentlemen ; I'll keep your animals till you 
return. I suppose you'll be back in two or three days, at 
the furthest. When you return, you'll find they have 
been well cared for." 

The guerrilla is probably still waiting for his friends 
and horses. 

A young lady thus complains: "The first thing they 
did was to carry off Lizzie's buggy. They broke into the 
storeroom, and took sister Emily' s wine, which they carried 
away, and drank the next morning. As we sat quietly 
awaiting our fate, still hoping that God — in whose care 
'Ma had at the beginning placed us, kneeling with us in 
earnest prayer — would yet save us, we heard them dan- 
cing, whooping, breaking, and plundering away over the 
house. They stole all my jewelry ; they broke all sister 
Emily's pictures. Nan [a servant] was very much dis- 
tressed at their taking the blankets." 

Poor girl ! we smile at and pity her. But War is no 
respecter of persons, nor very particular about the amount 
of damage done along his path. 

It was impossible for a large force to move through the 
enemy' s country without meeting some of the foe ; and as 
a natural result, skirmishing took place all along the route, 
and several prisoners were taken. At one time the ad- 
vance was engaged with the pickets of Chalmers's rebel 
brigade, but the latter was soon overpowered, and the 
main body of his troops retreated. 

The rebels attempted to fire the bridge at New Albany ; 
but so rapid was Colonel Grierson's advance, that his 
forces were across the river before they could accomplish 
their purpose. 

It now became necessary to mislead the enemy as to 



254 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the actual destination of the main "body ; therefore, on 
April 19th, Colonel Grierson ordered a portion of his force 
to march "back to New Albany, thence "by Kingsbridge, 
where a rebel camp was said to be in existence. A second 
force he ordered east, and a third northwest, while the 
main body marched due south. It had been raining all 
the previous night; consequently this day's march was 
performed under great difficulties. The center column 
then proceeded to Pontotoc, where a small rebel force was 
dispersed, and their camp equipage and a quantity of salt 
seized and destroyed. At eight o'clock that evening, the 
command encamped six miles south of Pontotoc on the 
road to Houston. 

On the 20th, a portion of the force was detached and 
sent back to La Grange with the prisoners and captured 
baggage. They were ordered to make as much noise in 
returning as possible, so as to give the rebels the idea that 
the expedition was over, while in fact the main body 
would still proceed south. This feint succeeded admi- 
rably. 

The next day another force was detached, under Colo- 
nel Hatch, and ordered to destroy as much as possible of 
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad ; to attack Columbus near 
the State line, between Mississippi and Alabama, and then 
to march back to La Grange. In this Colonel Hatch was 
successful, and the movement drew off General Chalmers' s 
rebel forces from following Colonel Grierson, thus giving 
him three days' fresh start. 

The main body next moved to Starkville, where they 
captured and destined a rebel mail. After traveling 
four miles further, the command divided — one-half swim- 
ming the Dismal Swamp, to destroy a tannery, which at 
the time contained a very large stock of boots and shoes, 
saddles, bridles, and several thousand dollars' worth of 
leather ; the other half proceeding on its course. 

The command being again united, it pushed on toward 
Louisville, Mississippi. This part of the march was of the 
most dangerous character, as streams and blind marshes 
had to be crossed without any guide. Sometimes the 
horses would sink in the mud and be left to perish, and it 



SCENES ALOXG THE TROOPERS' PATH. 255 

is wonderful that some of the men did not share the same 
fate. Notwithstanding the horrible nature of this route, 
the men preserved their fortitude, and pushed on vigor- 
ously for Philadelphia, Mississippi, where another mail 
was destroyed. Private property, however, was in all 
cases respected. 

Thus hurried along the troopers till the 22d, when the 
march was indeed "terrible, because the swamps of the 
Okanoxubee River were overflowed. After moving four 
miles south of Louisville, they marched a distance of eight 
miles through a swamp. On each side of the road were 
enormous trees, and the water was, everywhere, from three 
to four feet deep ; with every few hundred yards a mire- 
hole in which frequently, for a few moments, man and 
horse were lost to view. The Seventh Illinois being in the 
rear, found those holes almost impassable, from the action 
of the large body of cavalry which had preceded them, 
and they were compelled to leave drowned some twenty 
noble animals, whose strength was not equal to such 
an emergency. The men so dismounted removed their 
saddles, placed them on some other led beasts, and pushed 
onward cheerfully. ' ' 

On April 23d, the force pushed on to the Southern 
Railroad at Newton, moving by way of Decatur, and 
arrived at the former place about daylight on the 24th. 
Here two trains, bound to Yicksburg via Jackson, were 
captured, and the whole thirty-eight cars, with the loads 
of quartermaster, commissary, and ordnance stores, de- 
stroyed. The locomotives were also rendered useless. 
Several bridges and a quantity of trestlework were de- 
stroyed in this vicinity, after which, on the 25th, the 
raiding force moved toward Montrose, thence to Raleigh, 
Mississippi, where they encamped for the night. 

At this time the rebels were close upon Colonel Grier- 
son's heels, on ascertaining which, he moved over the 
Leaf River, destroying the bridge behind him, and then 
marched to Westville. Here two battalions were de- 
tached, and made a forced march to Hazlehurst Station, on 
the Jackson and New Orleans Railroad, where they de- 
stroyed forty cars, four of which were loaded with shell 



256 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

and ammunition, and the remainder with quartermaster 
and commissary stores. 

" A glance at the map will show the importance of Pearl 
River. Knowing it to be quite high from heavy rains, 
and aware also that, as rebel scouts had preceded them, it 
was of the utmost consequence to secure Pearl Eiver 
bridge, Colonel Prince, who was in advance with the 
Seventh Illinois, pushed forward with energy ; and, by 
very fast riding, succeeded in getting to the bridge, and 
driving away a picket, before they had time to tear up 
more than a few planks, which were replaced in a few 
minutes. The gallant colonel devoutly speaks of this as 
one of the many instances in which a divine Providence 
seemed to be shielding them during their whole perilous 
journey ; for the destruction of this bridge would have 
been, in all probability, fatal to the whole expedition. 

" Although Colonel Prince, on the 27th, had marched 
his regiment forty-one miles, during a large portion of the 
time through drenching rain, he firmly believed that, as 
the citizens were arming themselves, and the news about 
them was flying in all directions, it was a matter of life and 
death that Pearl River should be crossed, and the New 
Orleans and Jackson Railroad reached, without any delay 
whatever. He therefore obtained permission from Colonel 
Grierson to move directly forward with two hundred 
picked men of his regiment, to secure the ferry across 
Pearl River before the enemy should be able to destroy it. 
The distance to the river was thirteen miles, and from 
there to Hazlehurst Station was twelve miles. The re- 
mainder of the two regiments were to come forward as 
soon as they were sufficiently rested. 

" Colonel Prince started with the two hundred, at one 
A. M., and reached the bank of the river before daylight ; 
when, contrary to his information, the flat-boat was upon 
the opposite side of the river. Not daring to call out, he 
spoke to a volunteer, who, with a powerful horse, under- 
took to swim the river ; but the rapidity of the swollen 
stream carried him below the landing, where there was a 
quicksand, and he barely returned to shore with his life. 

" A few moments later, a man came down from the 



SCENES IN THE GREAT RAID. 



257 



Louse toward the river, and, in true North Carolina accent, 
asked, in a careless way, if we wanted to cross ; to which 
he got a reply — in a very capital imitation of his twang — 
that a few of them did want to go across, and that it 
seemed harder to wake up his nigger ferry -man than to 
catch the conscripts. The proprietor took the bait, apolo- 
gized for the detention, and woke up his ferry-man, who 
immediately brought over the boat, which thenceforward 
became the property of Uncle Sam — the proprietor all the 
while believing he was lavishing his attentions on the 
First Regiment of Alabama Cavalry, fresh from Mobile ! 
The breakfast given to the Alabama colonel that morning 
was highly relished and appreciated ; but too much time 
was not spent over it, and the importance of speed was 
clearly proved, only half an hour afterward, when they 
caught a courier flying to the ferry with the news that the 
Yankees were coming, and that all the ferries were to be 
immediately destroyed. 

"At Hazlehurst Station, Colonel Prince succeeded in 
capturing a large number of cars, four or five being loaded 
with shell and ammunition, and others with army stores. 
The whole of this property was utterly destroyed. 

' ' And here comes one of the most amusing episodes of 
the whole affair. Captain Forbes, who had been sent to 
Macon from near Starkville, rejoined the command, just as 
they had all crossed Pearl River. Having been unable to 
take Macon, he followed their trail to Newton, where he 
was informed that they had gone to Enterprise, on the 
Mobile and Ohio Railroad. He followed on to that place, 
and marched with his little squad into town, where he 
found about three thousand rebel troops just getting off 
the cars. He promptly raised a flag of truce, and boldly 
rode forward, demanding the surrender of the place, in the 
name of Colonel Grierson. The commanding rebel officer, 
Colonel Goodwin, asked one hour to consider the propo- 
sition, and wished to know where Captain Forbes would 
be at that time. The Captain answered that he would go 
back with the reply to the reserve ; which he did pretty 
rapidly, after having shrewdly ascertained the strength of 
the enemy. It is not known whether Enterprise ever 

17 



258 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



surrendered or not, or whether the rebel colonel is still 
trying to find the 'reserve' to make his penitent bow ; but 
one thing is certain, that Captain Forbes, with his little 
squad of thirty-five men, did not intend to take those three 
thousand rebels prisoners — that time at least — and was 
laughing in his sleeve many miles off while those Enter- 
prise-ing people were trembling in their boots — that is, if, 
at the present fabulous price of leather, they had any 
boots to tremble in. 

"The Mobile Register, of the 28th, in the depth of its 
consternation and chagrin, treats this ridiculous sell with 
the most absurd and amusing gravity. ' The only thing 
satisfactorily explained,' says the oracular Register, 'is 
that they ran away from Enterprise as soon as they heard 
that "Old Blizzard" was about.' The Register little 
thought that it was only thirty-five brave fellows whom 
its terrified imagination had converted into ' one thousand 
five hundred Yankees.' " 

On that morning the advance arrived at Brookhaven, 
where it surprised a body of rebels, taking about two 
hundred prisoners. Here a camp of instruction, about 
five hundred tents, and a large supply of small-arms were 
destroyed. 

Colonel Grierson, after making feints of moving to- 
ward Port Gibson and Natchez, marched, on April 30th, 
along the INew Orleans and Jackson Railroad, destroying 
all the bridges between Brookhaven and Bogue Chito 
Station. At the latter place, a number of loaded cars were 
found and destroyed. He next moved on to Summit, 
where he destroyed another train of cars. 

The Union cavalry force then passed along the country 
road toward Clinton, and on their way met a body of 
rebel cavalry, which they engaged and routed. They 
again pushed on steadily toward the Mississippi River. 

" On May 1st, they left camp at daylight, and proceed- 
ing in a southwesterly direction through the woods, with- 
out regard to roads, came into the Clinton and Osyka 
road, near a bridge four miles northeast of Wall's Post- 
office. About eighty of the enemy were lying in ambush 
near the bridge. Lieutenant- Colonel Blackburn, unfor- 



COLONEL GRIERSON'S ARRIVAL AT BATON ROUGE. 259 

tunately with more bravery than discretion, proceeded 
across the bridge at the head of the scouts and of com- 
pany G, Seventh Illinois. He was seriously wounded in 
the thigh, and slightly in the head. Colonel Prince im- 
mediately caused his men to dismount, to skirmish the 
enemy out of the bushes, and, with the assistance of 
Captain Smith' s battery, soon put them to flight. 

"This affair at the bridge detained the column but a 
few minutes. They marched all night, and crossed the 
Amite River about ten p. m., without opposition, the 
picket being asleep. They had marched forty miles this 
day. They marched again early on the morning of May 
2d, and the Sixth Illinois, being in advance, surprised and 
burned a rebel camp at Sandy Creek bridge. At this 
point the Seventh Illinois was ordered in advance, and, 
at about nine a. m., as a crowning glory to this most 
extraordinary series of adventures, captured forty-two of 
Stewart's Mississippi Cavaliy, on Comite River, including 
their colonel." 

On Friday, May 2d, at about noon, the inhabitants of 
Baton Rouge were startled by the arrival of a courier, 
who announced that a brigade of cavalry from General 
Grant; s army had cut their way through the heart of the 
rebel country and were then only five miles outside of the 
city. 

The information seemed too astounding for belief. At 
four o'clock, however, there was no longer doubt of the 
fact ; for Colonel Grierson and his heroes were escorted 
into the city by a company of cavalry belonging to that 
post. At the picket lines they were welcomed by the 
commander and his staff, and the cheers of the garrison, as 
the adventurers entered Baton Rouge, could have been 
heard for miles. 

Their triumphal entry created a furore of joyful excite- 
ment that thrilled every loyal heart upon this continent — 
aye, every heart that loves liberty and human bravery 
throughout the civilized world. 

" Some idea of the pluck and endurance of these men 
can be gleaned from the fact that during the last thirty 
hours, in which they had ridden eighty miles, fought two 



260 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



or three skirmishes, destroyed bridges, camps, equipages, 
&c., swam a river and captured forty-two prisoners and a 
large number of horses, they had scarcely halted at all, 
and went through these terrific exertions without food for 
man or beast ! During the last night, it was observed that 
nearly the entire column, worn out almost beyond human 
endurance, were fast asleep upon horseback, except when 
the sharp report of a carbine told of the nearness of the 
enem}^. And all this was rendered without one word of 
murmur or complaint from any lip, either of officers or 
privates." 

In fifteen days, eight hundred miles had been traveled, 
four million dollars' worth of property destroyed, and the 
alarming, humbling fact forced home on the heart of the 
foe, that the moment of fancied security might be that of 
the greatest danger. The news cheered not only the 
advancing host of General Grant, but also the impatient 
legions of the Cumberland Army, getting ready to move, 
with the chivalrous Sheridan' s horsemen, to emulate such 
daring and success. 

During the very last days of Colonel Grierson' s march, 
General George Stoneman, chief of cavalry in the Army 
of the Potomac, was dashing on to Richmond to do a 
similar work for Hooker, about to move on the enemy, 
which the former had accomplished for Grant — i. e., cut 
the communications between the army at Chanceilors- 
ville and the capital. In this grand ride through Vir- 
ginia, General John Buford was one of the most gallant 
leaders. He and Stoneman graduated at the Military 
Academy at West Point ; the former two years before 
Sheridan entered that Institution, the latter in 1849, the 
very summer of his admission. These three, with Kil- 
patrick, who was also with Stoneman, and afterward with 
Sherman, form a splendid quartette of cavalry chiefs, 
whose names will ever shine on the record of national vic- 
tories, while our flag floats in the breeze. 

General Buford was a Kentuckian, born in 1827. He 
was a finished horseman and officer — a generous, high- 
minded, loyal man ; and died in his prime at Washington, 
December 16, 1863, of pneumonia and typhoid fever, 



GENERAL STONEMAN AND HIS RAID. 



2G1 



contracted in Lis exhausting marcLes and exposure, uni- 
versally lamented. He was a kind, humane commander. 
After a day's toilsome ride, he not unfrequently, in a wild 
thunder-storm, would rise from a brief repose to rub 
down and protect the noble animals which bore their 
weary riders safely over hostile soil. 

General Stoneman was born at Burtis, Chatauque 
County, ISTew York, August 8, 1822, and, like General 
Sheridan, went soon after his graduation to the Pacific 
coast. When the rebellion thundered forth its challenge 
to freedom in Charleston Harbor, he was in command of 
Fort Brown in Texas, whose surrender was demanded by 
General Twiggs of the rebel army. The heroic Stoneman 
promptly, indignantly, refused. Learning that it was de- 
termined to withdraw the Union forces from the State, he 
immediately chartered a steamer, taking with him what- 
ever he could convey of the Government property, and 
reached New York the middle of March. The following 
June, he was major of the cavalry ; and in August, 1861, 
brigadier and chief of cavalry. He is a noble officer and 
man. 

In the raid to co-operate with General Hooker, while 
Sheridan was drilling his brigade for brilliant work at 
hand in his department, there was some of the most ro- 
mantic, perilous, and successful riding in the annals of 
cavalry service. General Kilpatrick will be more fully 
noticed in the record of General Sherman' s grand marches. 

General Grant recorded his own estimate of the raid, 
officially, a few days after its successful termination : — 

Gband Gulf, Mississippi, May 6. 

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief : 

I learn that Colonel Grierson, with his cavalry, has been heard of, first, 
about ten days ago, in Northern Mississippi. 

He moved thence and struck the railroad thirty miles east of Jackson, 
at a point called Newton's Station. 

He then moved southward, toward Enterprise, demanded the surren- 
der of the place, and gave one hour's grace, during which General Lorm- 
niey arrived. 

He left at once and moved toward Hazelhurst, on the New Orleans 
and Jackson Eailroad. At this point he tore up the track. Thence he 
pushed to Bahala, ten miles further south, on the same road ; and thence 



262 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



eastward, on the Natchez road, where he had a fight with Wirt Adams's 
cavalry. 

From this point he moved back to the New Orleans and Jackson Rail- 
road, to Brookhaven, ten miles south of Bahala, and when last heard from 
he was three miles from Summit, ten miles south of Brookhaven, and was 
supposed to be making his way to Baton Rouge. 

He had spread excitement throughout the State, destroying railroads, 
trestleworks, and bridges, burning locomotives and railway stock, taking 
prisoners, and destroying stores of all kinds. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

Tlie day after Colonel Grierson had started on his ex- 
pedition, a party of Union troops, consisting of three 
regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, left Memphis, 
Tennessee, on a reconnoissance into Mississippi. At JNan- 
connah, they met a body of rebel cavalry, which, after a 
brisk fight, was repulsed with some loss. On the 19th, 
another force of mounted rebels was met, and driven over 
the Coldwater in confusion. The Union troops having 
been re-enforced at Hernando, Mississippi, again crossed 
the Coldwater, and engaged the enemy at that point. 

At about the same time General Banks's forces were 
making a demonstration in the neighborhood of Baton 
Rouge. 

Owing to the limited number of transports below 
Yicksburg, it was deemed advisable by General Grant to 
extend his line of land-travel to a little place in Louisiana, 
on the Mississippi River shore, locally known by the 
designation of Hard Times. As this place could only be 
reached by a very circuitous route, the distance between 
the base of supplies at Milliken's Bend and the advance 
of the army was increased to seventy miles, with roads 
entirely unsuited for the operations of an army. But as 
the place was nearer to the point at which General Grant 
had intended to land his troops, on the Mississippi side of 
the river, he was determined that the roads should not 
prove an obstacle to thwart him in his plans. He there- 
fore detailed a portion of his pioneer force to prepare the 
line of travel, and to keep it in order after it was con- 
structed. 

The Thirteenth Army Corps was embarked during the 
night of the 28th and early on the morning of the 29th of 



A NAVAL ENGAGEMENT. 



263 



April, 1863, and the Seventeenth Corps being well on its 
way to take their place, General Grant ordered the trans- 
ports to move over to the front of Grand Gulf. The plan 
had been for the navy to attack the rebel works, and for 
the military forces to land under cover of the guns, for the 
purpose of taking the place by storm. At eight o'clock 
in the morning, Admiral Porter's fleet opened upon the 
works, which he engaged for five hours in the most 
brilliant manner. It, however, soon became evident that 
the enemy's batteries could not be silenced or taken from 
the water-front, as the whole range of hills was lined 
with rifle-pits, supported by field artillery, that could be 
moved from one position to another with the greatest 
ease. General Grant determined to change his plan, and 
effect a landing, if possible, at Rodney, some distance 
below Grand Gulf. But to do this, it became necessary 
again to run the rebel batteries. A consultation was 
held between him and Admiral Porter, and a plan soon 
formed. 

At dark, Admiral Porter' s fleet again engaged the bat- 
teries, and, under cover of this contest, the transports ran 
by the rebel works, receiving but two or three shots in the 
passage, and these not inflicting any material injury. 

During the whole of the naval engagement at Grand 
Gulf, General Grant was on board a tug in the middle of 
the stream, a witness of the conflict, and ready to move his 
forces to the assault as soon as the time appeared pro- 
pitious. 

After the withdrawal of the fleet from before Grand 
Gulf, the troops were again landed at Hard Times, so that 
the transports might run by the rebel batteries without 
endangering more lives than was absolutely necessary. 
These disembarked troops were then marched overland, 
across the upper end of Coffee's Point and D'Schron's 
plantation, to the Louisiana shore of the Mississippi River 
below Grand Gulf. 

A reconnoitering party was next sent out to discover 
the best point at which the troops could cross the river to 
the Mississippi shore. General McClernand says, in his re- 
port of June 17, 1863: "The reconnoissance made by the 



264 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



cavalry, in pursuance of Major-General Grant's order, in- 
dicated Bruinsburg to be the point. Hence, embarking on 
the morning of the 30th, my corps immediately proceeded 
to that place, and disembarked before noon." 

The advance was now on the Vicksburg side of the 
river, and every thing was to be subservient to activity 
and rapid motion. The orders were that there should be 
no delay under any circumstances. Promptitude was 
especially necessary, as by that only could success be 
guaranteed. 

At four o'clock in the afternoon, after having halted 
just long enough to distribute three days' rations, the 
advance of the Thirteenth Army Corps took up its line of 
march for the bluffs, three miles from the river. In this 
movement the corps commander states in his report that 
he acted "agreeably with General Grant's instructions." 
The bluffs were, therefore, reached and taken possession 
of some time before sunset. 

The army had started in very light marching order, 
without trains or baggage, that nothing might interfere 
with their rapid movements. Each man carried his al- 
lotted quantity of rations, and the bivouac, and not the 
camp, was to be the order of the night. One who par* 
ticipated in the campaign states : — 

" Starting on the movement, the general disencumbered 
himself of every thing, setting an example to his officers 
and men. He took neither a horse nor a servant, overcoat 
nor blanket, nor tent nor camp-chest, nor even a clean 
shirt. His only baggage consisted of a tooth-brush. He 
always showed his teeth to the rebels. He shared all the 
hardships of the private soldier, sleeping in the front and 
in the open air, and eating hard-tack and salt pork. He 
wore no sword, had on a low-crowned citizen's hat, and 
the only thing about him to mark him as a military man 
was his two stars on his undress military coat." 

The Thirteenth Army Corps, after reaching the bluffs, 
pushed on toward Port Gibson, to surprise any enemy 
that might be found in that neighborhood, and if possible 
to prevent him from destroying the bridges over Bayou 
Pierre, on the roads leading to Grand Gulf and to Jack- 



A ROMANTIC MARCH. 



265 



son. To accomplish tins, the corps made forced marches, 
and traveled as far as possible along the road during that 
night. 

An exciting, romantic night-march was that of the 
pioneer volunteers toward Vicksburg. How grand the 
spectacle, as the ranks for miles sweep along the road 
under the levee between them and the river ; then, turn- 
ing from it, go winding over the crests of hills, stretching 
away like a sea of solid waves of orange and emerald hue ! 
Up the precipitous sides of some bold bluff the rows of 
glittering steel creep, then pass in spectral indistinctness 
through a deep ravine ; now they sweep between wide 
fields of waving corn, and again over plains of the most 
fragrant flowers, and through vernal forests, whose mag- 
nolias are in full blossom, flinging, from their cups of 
alabaster, delicious aroma on the midnight air. 

The advance of the Thirteenth Army Corps approached 
the church at about one o'clock on the morning of the first 
of May, 1863. This church was distant from Bruinsburg 
about thirteen miles, and from Port Gibson about four 
miles. As the Fourteenth Division of Grant' s army drew 
near the place, they were accosted by a light fire of rebel 
musketry, followed at a quick interval by a sharp attack 
with field artillery. The Union troops were at once 
formed into line of battle, and their batteries replied to 
the fire of the rebels. After a short but brisk engagement, 
the guns of the latter were silenced. 

Our forces then withdrew out of range, and patiently 
waited until morning. At daybreak the fight was re- 
newed by the ordering of the Ninth Division of Grant' s 
army on the road to the left. The First Brigade, while 
hastening forward to execute this order, encountered the 
enemy in force, at about half-past five in the morning ; 
and although the rebel position was strong, and the 
enemy apparently determined to keep it, he was forced to 
yield the possession, after a severe struggle of over an 
hour's duration. 

The Mnth Division, consisting of two brigades, pressed 
forward ; but the enemy had so obstructed the road that 
it was soon apparent a front attack would result only 



266 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



in disaster. A flank movement was then resolved upon, 
and by a spirited assault upon the right carried the rebel 
works, captured three pieces of cannon, and routed the 
enemy. 

It also appears from the official reports, that the second 
position taken by the enemy was much stronger than the 
first, being located in a creek bottom, covered with trees 
and underbrush, the approach to which was over open 
fields, and ragged and exposed hill- slopes. 

At break of day, on the morning of Saturday, May 2d, 
the Thirteenth Army Corps triumphantly entered Port 
Gibson, through which place, and across the south branch 
of the Bayou Pierre, the enemy had hastily fled the night 
before, burning the bridge across that stream in his rear. 
This bridge was even burning when the advance entered 
Port Gibson, and it was necessary to remain a few hours 
in that village, until a floating bridge could be constructed. 

While this was being built, the rebels appeared on the 
opposite side of the Bayou Pierre, both above and below 
the town, and a desultory fire ensued between the belliger- 
ents, without any material damage to either side. In the 
afternoon the bridge was completed, and the advance 
crossed over. 

Three miles beyond Port Gibson, on the Eaymond 
road, the Union army came across two large piles of bacon 
belonging to the rebel army, and of at least fifty thousand 
pounds weight. The army next came upon the upper 
causeway across the Bayou Pierre, which, being a sub- 
stantial iron suspension bridge, the rebels had not time to 
completely destroy, although they left behind them evi- 
dences of their attempts at its destruction. 

This bridge repaired, the Union army passed over it, 
and came to the cross-roads near the site of an old town 
which once rejoiced in the name of Willow Springs. As 
the army was proceeding leisurely along the road, a battery 
opened upon them with shell at short range, causing a few 
casualties. The advance was next drawn up in line of 
battle, and moved slowly forward until the rebel position 
was attained. The rebels then soon retired with unusual 
haste. 



BIG BLACK KIVER— A SKIRMISH. 



267 



The advance of the Union army then pushed on to the 
"bank of the Big Black River, where it arrived shortly be- 
fore dark, and was received with a sharp fire of musketry. 
Lines of skirmishers were quickly formed, and the rebel 
troops driven across the river. Their rear-guard at- 
tempted to destroy the pontoon bridge ; but in this design 
they were frustrated by the rapid movements of the sharp- 
shooters of the Union army. After exchanging a few shell 
and shot, all was quiet for a time. 

This part of the army was seven miles beyond Grand 
Gulf, and within eighteen miles of Vicksburg. While 
passing through a deep ravine to reach the above position, 
the troops met a strong line of rebel skirmishers, and, after 
an engagement of about two hours, the latter retired, 
closely followed. Several prisoners were taken, from 
whom it was ascertained that Grand Gulf had been evac- 
uated and the rebel magazine blown up. This was owing 
to two causes ; first, the flanking of the position by Gene- 
ral Grant ; and secondly, the severe bombardment it re- 
ceived at the hands of Admiral Porter. 

Finding that Grand Gulf had been evacuated, and that 
the advance of the Union forces was already fifteen miles 
on the road they would have to take to reach either Yicks- 
b>urg, Jackson, or any point of the railroad between those 
cities, General Grant determined not to stop the troops in 
their victorious course, for the purpose of furnishing him- 
self with an escort due to his rank, but took with him some 
fifteen men, and proceeded in person to the position, where 
he made the necessary arrangements for changing his base 
of supplies from Bruinsburg to Grand Gulf. 

From this point he telegraphed to the Government the 
complete success of the first part of his movement. The 
document, it will be noted, is remarkably modest, con- 
sidering the value of the work accomplished, and was as 
follows : — 

Gbakd Gulf, Miss., May 3, 1S63. 

Major General Halleok, General-in-Chief: 

We landed at Bruinsburg, April 30th; moved immediately on Port 
Gibson ; met the enemy, eleven thousand strong, four miles south of Port 
Gibson, at two o'clock a. m., on the 1st inst., and engaged him all day, en- 



208 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tirely routing him with the loss of many killed, and about five hundred 
prisoners, besides the wounded. Our loss, about one hundred killed and 
five hundred wounded. 

The enemy retreated toward Vicksburg, destroying the bridges over 
the two forks of the Bayou Pierre. These were rebuilt ; and the pursuit 
has continued until the present time. 

Besides the heavy artillery at the place, four field-pieces were captured, 
and some stores ; and the enemy were driven to destroy many more. 

The country is the most broken and difficult to operate in I ever saw. 

Our victory has been most complete, and the enemy is thoroughly 
demoralized. Yery respectfully, 

IT. S. Geant, Jlajor-General Commanding. 

Governor Yates, of Illinois, who was on a visit to the 
army at the time of the movement, and had necessarily to 
participate therein, telegraphed at the same time to the 
officials at his State capital, as follows: — 

Geasd Guxf, Miss., May 3, 1863. 

We gained a glorious victory at Port Gibson, on the 1st instant. 

The enemy are in full retreat. Our forces are in close pursuit. The 
Illinois troops, as usual, behaved with the greatest gallantry. The loss on 
our side is one hundred and fifty killed and five hundred wounded. 

We have taken one thousand prisoners. The loss of the enemy in 
killed and wounded was much greater than ours. 

Richaed Yates. 

On the same night that Grand Gnlf had been taken pos- 
session of, several barges, loaded with stores, were sent 
down past the Vicksburg batteries. The firing was very 
heavy upon some of them, and a shell, bursting in the 
midst of a quantity of cotton and hay, destroyed the ves- 
sels, and compelled those on board to surrender. 

General Grant, to deceive the rebel authorities at Rich- 
mond, Chattanooga, and elsewhere, as to the precise direc- 
tion from which he intended to strike at Vicksburg, and 
also to prevent heavy re-enforcements from being sent to 
Grand Gulf from that place, ordered very excellent feints 
to be made in all directions. 

Among others, he ordered Colonel Corwyn, with his 
cavalry brigade, to go down the Mobile and Ohio Rail- 
road, on the east of his line of operations, and threaten an 
attack upon all the rebel posts along that road. On the 



GENERAL SHERMAN AND THE FIFTEENTH CORPS. 269 

6th of May, a fight took place between the Union cavalry 
and the rebel forces tinder General Ruggles, at Tupello — a 
railroad station in Itawamba County, Mississippi — and, 
after a half-hour' s conflict, the rebels retreated in disorder, 
leaving behind them their arms, equipments, and ninety 
of their men prisoners. 

On the north, General Grant ordered a still more valu- 
able feint. In moving from Milliken's Bend, the Fifteenth 
Army Corps had been set apart to bring up the rear, and 
consequently, under that order, it was to be the last to 
start upon the southern inarch. General Sherman, com- 
manding the Fifteenth Corps, had made every preparation 
to move by April 26, 1863, on which day he received a 
letter from General Grant, who was near 'New Carthage, 
ordering him to delay his march, in consequence of the 
state of the roads, until the system of canals, then in 
process of construction, could be completed. 

On the 28th of April, General Sherman received a letter 
in cipher, fixing the time when General Grant proposed to 
attack Grand Gulf, and stating that a simultaneous feint 
on the enemy' s batteries near Haines' s Bluff, on the Yazoo 
River, would be most desirable, provided it could be done 
without the ill effect on the army and the country of the 
appearance of a repulse. Knowing well that the army 
could distinguish a feint from a real attack, by succeeding 
events, General Sherman made the necessary orders, em- 
barked the Second Division on ten steam transports, and 
sailed for the Yazoo River. 

At ten o'clock on the morning of April 29th, General 
Sherman, with this force, proceeded to the mouth of the 
Yazoo River, where he found several vessels of the fleet, 
ready to co-operate with the feigned movement. This fact 
alone proves how well General Grant and Admiral Porter 
had agreed upon the plan of operations, and how they 
worked in harmony together; neither one being jealous 
of the other's fame, but both being ready to do battle in 
their country' s service, and for the common cause. 

The united forces then went up the Yazoo River, in 
proper order, and lay for the night of April 29th at the 
mouth of the Chickasaw Bayou. The next morning, at an 



270 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

early hour, the fleet advanced within easy range of the 
enemy's batteries. The gnnboats at once made an attack 
upon the works, and for four hours kept up the demon- 
stration. The vessels were then called out of range ; and 
toward evening, General Sherman disembarked his troops, 
in full view of the enemy, making preparations as if to 
assault the works. As soon as the landing was effected, 
the gunboats reopened their fire upon the rebel defenses. 

The perceptible activity of the enemy, in moving the 
guns, artillery, and infantry, gave evidence that they ex- 
pected a real attack ; and, keeping up a show of this intent 
until dark, General Sherman succeeded in accomplishing 
the full object of his ruse. At night the troops re-em- 
barked ; but during the whole of the next day similar 
movements were made, accompanied by reconnoissances 
of all the country on both sides of the Yazoo River. 
While thus engaged, he received instructions from Gen- 
eral Grant to hasten and rejoin him at Grand Gulf. 

The two divisions of General Sherman's corps that had 
remained at Milliken's Bend were at once ordered to 
inarch, and to join General Grant by way of Richmond, 
Louisiana, while he, at the head of the Second Division, 
kept up his feint on the Yazoo River until night. Gen- 
eral Sherman then quietly dropped back to his camp at 
Young' s Point, when the whole corps, with the exception 
of one division left behind as a garrison, marched to Hard 
Times, four miles above Grand Gulf, on the Louisiana 
shore, where it arrived on the morning of May 6th, after 
traveling sixty-three miles on foot. During the night of 
the 6th, and the morning of the 7th, the forces were ferried 
over the river, and on the 8th commenced their march 
into the interior. 

A junction was to have been formed between the forces 
under General Grant and those under General Banks ; but, 
in consequence of the position of the troops under the 
latter general, this movement was found to require a much 
greater delay and loss of time than could be afforded, 
as will be seen from the following extract from the official 
report : — 

Wrote General Grant: " About this time (May 4th), I 



WHY GEN. GRANT WAS NOT RE-ENFORCED BY BANKS. 271 

received a letter from General Banks, giving his position 
west of the Mississippi River, and stating that he conld 
re ton to Baton Rouge by the 10th of May ; that, by the 
reduction of Port Hudson, he could join me with twelve 
thousand men. 

"I learned about the same time, that troops were ex- 
pected at Jackson from the Southern cities, with General 
Beauregard in command. To delay until the 10th of May,' 
and for the reduction of Port Hudson after that, the acces- 
sion of twelve thousand men would not leave me relatively 
so strong as to move promptly with what I had. Infor- 
mation received from day to day, of the movements of the 
enemy, also impelled me to the course I pursued." 



272 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THE ARMY APPROACH VICKSBURG. 

General Grant's Head-Quarters moved forward to Hawkinson's Ferry. — The Rebel 
Governor Alarmed. — General Grant's Congratulatory Order. — He Telegraphs to 
"Washington. — Fall of Jackson. — The Army at Bolton. — Clinton. — Champion's 
HilL — Crossing the River. — The Investment of the City. 

General Grant secured a sufficient amount of sup- 
plies for his columns, and arranged the order of march 
while at Grand Gulf. 

May 7th he removed his head-quarters to Hawkinson's 
Ferry, on the Black River, leaving Sherman to guard the 
captured post, during the few hours it would he of service 
for the landing of the remainder of the supplies. 

While lying at Hawkinson's Ferry, waiting for the 
wagons, supplies, and Sherman's corps to come up, de- 
monstrations were made to make the enemy Tbelieve that 
the routes to Vicksburg "by that ferry, and the one by 
Hall's Ferry, which was a short distance higher up the 
river, were very desirable to General Grant. To impress 
this idea still further upon the minds of the rebel generals, 
reconnoitering parties were sent out along the roads, on 
the west side of the Big Black River, to within six miles 
of Warrenton. The artifice was completely successful. 

In the mean time, Mississippi was called to arms to 
resist the advance of General Grant. 

General Grant' s plans had been too carefully studied 
to be thwarted by any suddenly improvised forces that the 
Governor could then raise. 

On the morning of the 7th of May, a general advance 
was ordered. The Thirteenth Army Corps was directed 
to move along the ridge road from Wilton Springs ; the 
Seventeenth was to keep the road nearest the Black River 
to Rocky Springs ; and the Fifteenth was to divide in two 
parts, and follow. All the ferries ware closely guarded 



GENERAL GRANT'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER. 21?> 



until the troops were well advanced, to prevent surprise 
on the flanks, and also to mislead the enemy as to the 
intention of the movement 

Before the troops were started on this march, the fol- 
lowing congratulatory order was read at the head of every 
regiment :— - 

Head-Quarters Army of the Tennessee, in the Field, ( 
Hawkinson's Ferry, May 7. > 

Soldiers of the Array of Tennessee : 

Once more I thank you for adding another victory to the long list of 
those previously won by your valor and endurance. The triumph gained 
over the enemy near Port Gibson, on the 1st, was one of the most import- 
ant of the war. The capture of five cannon and more than one thousand 
prisoners, the possession of Grand Gulf, and a firm foothold on the high- 
lands between the Big Black and Bayou Pierre, from whence we threaten 
the whole line of the enemy, are among the fruits of this brilliant achieve- 
ment. 

The march from Milliken's Bend to the point opposite Grand Gulf was 
macle in stormy weather, over the worst of roads. Bridges and ferries had 
to be constructed. Moving by night, as well as by day, with labor inces- 
sant, and extraordinary privations endured by men and officers, such as 
have been rarely paralleled in any campaign, not a murmur of complaint 
has been uttered. A few days 1 continuance of the same zeal and constancy 
will secure to this army crowning victories over the rebellion. 

More difficulties and privations are before us; let us endure them 
manfully. Other battles are to be fought; let us fight them bravely. A 
grateful country will rejoice at our success, and history will record it with 
immortal honor. 

U. S. Geant, Major- General Commanding. 

It seems that General Grant had intended, while at 
Hawkinson's Ferry, to have moved the Thirteenth and 
Fifteenth Army Corps in such a manner as to hug the 
Black River as closely as possible, that they might be 
able to strike the Jackson and Vicksbursc Railroad at 
some point between Edwards's Station and Bolton. The 
Seventeenth Army Corps was to move by way of Utica to 
Raymond, thence to Jackson, at which place, and in its 
vicinity, the railroad, telegraph, and public stores were to 
be destroyed, after which, the corps was to move west, 
and rejoin the main army. 

The commander-in-chief was not behind his troops ; 
but, as they advanced, he continually changed his head- 
is 



274 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



quarters and his line of communications, keeping with the 
center of the army, that he might the better direct the 
movements of his three columns. 

When he had advanced far enough to be sure of his 
position, he sent the following telegraphic message to the 
Government at Washington : — 

In ths Field, May 11, 1863. 

To Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

My force will be this evening as far advanced along Fourteen Mile 
Greek, the left near Black River, and extending in a line nearly east and 
west, as they can get, without bringing on a general engagement. 

I shall communicate with Grand Gulf no more, except it becomes 
necessary to send a train with a heavy escort. 

You may not hear from me again for several days. 

U. S. Gbaot, Major-GeneraL 

The dispatch clearly intimates that General Grant had 
intended to cut an opening through the enemy' s lines, and 
communicate with the general-in- chief by a more northern 
route. When the dispatch was sent, he foresaw the suc- 
cess of this plan, and as he personally superintended all 
the movements of his army, and had not to depend upon 
any other outside co-operation than that of the fleet, he 
doubtless felt sure he could not fail through lack of proper 
combination at the right time. He also, in breaking up 
this line of communication, by way of Grand Gulf, pre- 
vented the enemy from cutting olf his supplies ; and he 
had taken the precaution to have with him all that was 
needed, until he was ready to open up the new line by the 
Yazoo. 

The Fifteenth Army Corps moved forward on the Ed- 
wards' s Station road, and crossed the Fourteen Mile Creek 
at Dillon' s plantation. The Thirteenth Army Corps crossed 
the same creek a short distance further west, making a 
demonstration along the road toward Baldwin's Ferry y 
as if to advance upon Yicksburg or Warrenton by that 
route. 

While crossing the Greek, both corps had to skirmish 
considerably with the enemy to gain possession of the right 
of way ; but, under the persistent attacks of the Union 



THE BATTLE NEAR RAYMOND. 



273 



troops, the rebels gave way, and the army moved toward 
the railroad in splendid order. 

In the mean time, the Seventeenth Army Corps was 
steadily advancing upon Raymond, but met with resolute 
opposition from the rebels, who were stationed in two 
brigades, under Generals Gregg and Walker, at a point in 
the road about two miles southwest of that village. Gen- 
eral Logan's division came upon the troops, estimated at 
about ten thousand, posted on Fondren's Creek, at ten 
o'clock on Tuesday morning, May 12th, and brisk skir- 
mishing began at once, followed by a general engagement 
The enemy (as in front of General Sherman) was almost 
wholly concealed at first by the woods bordering the 
stream, behind which their forces were posted. Their 
artillery was on an eminence that commanded the ap- 
proach, and the Union troops had to cross an open field, 
exposed to a terrible fire. The First and Second Brigades 
were in the thickest of the contest, and suffered most. 
After three hours' hard fighting, the enemy withdrew sul- 
lenly in two columns — the principal one taking the road to 
Jackson. 

General Grant, in his report of this action, states that 
the fighting was very hard ; that the enemy were driven, 
with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners ; and 
that many of the rebels threw down their arms and de- 
serted their cause. 

When he discovered that the enemy had retreated from 
Raymond to Jackson, he, on the night of May 12th, di- 
verted the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Army Corps from their 
intended route, and ordered them both to move toward 
Raymond, at which place he established his head-quarters 
on the evening of May 13th. 

The next day, General Grant sent the following dis- 
patch by way of Memphis : — 

Raymond, Miss., May 14, 1S63. 

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

McPherson took this place on the 12th inst., after a brisk fight of more 
than two hours. 

Our loss was fifty-one killed, and one hundred and eighty wounded. 
The enemy's loss was seventy-five killed (buried by us), and one hundred 
and eighty-six prisoners captured, besides the wounded. 



270 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



McPherson is now at. Clinton. General Sherman is on the direct Jaek- 
son road, and General McClernand is bringing up the rear. 
I will attack the State capital to-day. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

The commander at Memphis, before receiving the above 
dispatch from General Grant, sent the following to Wash- 
ington : — 

MKairais, Tbnx., May 17, 1S6S. 

Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief: 

Papers of the 14th from Vicksburg and Jackson report that Grant de- 
feated Gregg's brigade at Raymond, on Tuesday, the 12th. The rebel loss 
is admitted in the papers at seven hundred. 

The next day Gregg was re-enforced by General W. H. T. Walker, of 
Georgia, when he was attacked at Mississippi Springs, and driven toward 
Jackson on Thursday. 

General Joseph Johnston arrived at Jackson on the 13th, and went out 
toward Vicksburg with three brigades. 

The force which General Grant fought, viz., Gregg's brigade, was from 
Port Hudson, while Walker's was from Jordan. 

Every horse fit for service in Mississippi is claimed by the rebel govern- 
ment, to mount their troops. 

Grant has struck the railroad. 

S. A. Huelbut, Major-General. 

The Seventeenth Army Corps had moved up to Clinton, 
on the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad, during the pre- 
vious day, May 13th, to be able to make the movement 
along that railroad to Jackson, simultaneously with that 
of the Fifteenth Army Corps, by way of the Raymond and 
Jackson turnpike road. 

Clinton was no sooner taken possession of, than parties 
were sent out to destroy the track and telegraph ; and 
while engaged on this duty, several important dispatches 
from General Pemberton to General Gregg, both of the 
rebel forces, were captured, and taken to General Grant' s 
head-quarters. 

As the Seventeenth Army Corps advanced along the 
railroad, a parallel line of march was kept up by the Fif- 
teenth Army Corps, along the turnpike road, by way of 
Mississippi Springs, while the Thirteenth Army Corps 
occupied Raymond. 



THE APPROACH TO JACKSON. 



277 



On May 14th, the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps 
moved, with their whole forcp, then present on the field, 
upon Jackson — the march being made amidst a heavy 
storm of rain, which fell in torrents, from midnight of the 
13th until noon of the 14th. The roads were therefore in 
the most horrible condition — at first slippery, next ankle- 
deep in mud. " Notwithstanding this," says General 
Grant, "the troops marched in excellent order, without 
straggling, and in the best of spirits, nearly fourteen miles, 
and engaged the enemy, at about twelve o'clock noon, 
near Jackson." 

As the two corps marched toward Jackson, the Thir- 
teenth garrisoned the places they had vacated, one division 
occupying Clinton, another holding Mississippi Springs, 
while a third took possession of Raymond. General 
Blair's division of the Fifteenth Corps guarded the wagon- 
train at New Auburn, and the road to Utica was held by 
an advancing brigade of the Seventeenth Corps that had 
not, since the movement commenced, been joined to the 
main column. These forces were kept back as a corps of 
reserve, if necessary, and ready to move in either direction, 
toward Jackson or Vicksburg. 

When General Joseph E. Johnston, who commanded 
the rebel forces at Jackson, saw that Grant's troops were 
marching upon him, he determined to meet them on the 
outside of the city, and delay their advance as long as 
possible, to give him an opportunity to remove a portion, 
if not the whole, of the property of the rebel government 
then at Jackson. As his forces were small in numbers, he 
ordered a feigned resistance to be made with artillery, 
supported by a small body of infantry, against the advance 
of the Fifteenth Army Corps by the turnpike road, while, 
with the bulk of his army, he marched out on the Clinton 
road, and engaged the Seventeenth Corps about two and a 
half miles from the city. 

The advance of the skirmishers of the Fifteenth soon 
drove in the rebels ; they took refuge in their rifle-pits, 
which had been thrown up just outside the city of Jack- 
son. General Sherman, the commander, soon learned the 
weakness of the enemy by a reconnoissance to his right ; 



273 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and his flank movement caused an evacuation of the rebel 
position on this part of their line. 

Meanwhile, General McPherson, at the head of two 
divisions of the Seventeenth Corps, engaged the main 
forces from Jackson, without any support, or requiring 
any further aid. After a very spirited contest of over two 
hours' duration, he defeated the rebel forces, and the dis- 
heartened and beaten troops retreated northward, along 
the Canton road, leaving the city in the hands of the 
conquerors. A pursuit was immediately ordered ; but the 
rebels had escaped — their retreat having been made in the 
greatest haste. 

The following is General Grant's modest dispatch con- 
cerning this brilliant operation : — 

Jackson, Mississippi, May 15, 1663. 

Major-Genera! H. W. Halleok, General-in-Chief, Washington : 

This place fell into oar hands yesterday, after a fight of about three 
hours. 

Joe Johnston was in command. 

The enemy retreated north, evidently with the design of joining the 
Vicksburg forces. 

U. S. Gp.ant, Major-General. 

General Grant entered the town of Jackson on the 
afternoon of the 14th, and held a consultation with the 
commanders of the two corps which had taken possession 
of the city. To prevent any unjustifiable plunder or 
marauding, the troops were encamped on the outskirts of 
the city during the night. General Grant ordered the rifle- 
pits to be occupied at once, and on the following day to 
destroy effectually the railroad tracks in and about Jack- 
son, and all the property belonging to the enemy. 

Accordingly, on the morning of May 15th, one division 
was set to work to destroy the railroad and property to 
the south and east of the city, including the Pearl River 
bridge, while another division was engaged on the road 
to the north and west. This work of destruction was so 
well performed that Jackson, as a railroad or military 
center, or as a depot of stores or military supplies, was 
completely ruined for the time being. The roads were laid 



THE OCCUPATION OF JACKSON. 



279 



waste for at least four miles to the east of Jackson, three 
miles south, three miles north, and nearly ten miles west. 
Cavalry raids were also sent along the road running to- 
ward Meridian, and cut the railroad at Brandon and else- 
where. 

In the city itself, the arsenal building, government foun- 
dery, a gun-carriage establishment, including the carriages 
for two complete batteries of artillery, military carpenter' s 
shop, stables, and paint-shops were at once destroyed. 
Some convicts who had broken loose succeeded in setting 
fire to the penitentiary during the time the military were 
thus engaged. A valuable cotton factory was also de- 
molished. General Sherman, in speaking of the destruc- 
tion of this establishment, says: "This factory was the 
property of the Messrs. Greene, who made strong appeals, 
based on the fact that it gave employment to very many 
females and poor families ; and that, although it had woven 
cloth for the enemy, its principal use was in weaving cloth 
for the people. But I decided that machinery of that kind 
could so easily be converted into hostile uses, that the 
United States could better afford to compensate the Messrs. 
Greene for their property, and for the poor families thus 
thrown out of employment, than to spare the property. I 
therefore assured all such families that, if want should 
force them, they might come to the river, where we would 
feed them until they could find employment or seek refuge 
in some more peaceful land." 

General Grant, after he had taken possession of the 
State capital of Mississippi, on May 14th, obtained some 
very important information relative to the plans of the 
rebel army ; and, among other things, ascertained that 
General Johnston had ordered General Pemberton peremp- 
torily to move out of Vicksburg and attack the United 
States forces in the rear. He at once ordered the Thir- 
teenth Army Corps and General Blair' s division of the Fif- 
teenth Army Corps to face their troops toward Bolton, 
with a view of marching upon Edwards' s Station. These 
troops, being admirably located for such a move, marched 
along different roads converging near Bolton, and it re- 
sulted in a complete success. The Seventeenth Army 



280 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Corps was ordered to retrace its steps to Clinton, and com- 
menced its march early on the morning of the 15th of May. 
The remainder of the Fifteenth Army Corps was left at 
Jackson to destroy every thing that might have been or 
was capable of being used in a hostile manner by the 
enemy. 

At half-past nine o'clock on the morning of the 15th, a 
division of the Thirteenth Army Corps occupied Bolton, 
capturing a number of prisoners, and driving away the 
rebel pickets from the post. 

On the afternoon of the same day, General Grant re- 
moved his head-quarters to Clinton, where he arrived at 
about a quarter to five o'clock p. m. It will be seen that, 
during the successive changes in the position of the army, 
General Grant was always in the immediate vicinity of his 
fighting troops, directing their movements. 

The Seventeenth Army Corps having passed through 
Clinton to the support of the right of the Thirteenth, Gen- 
eral Grant ordered General McClernand to move his com- 
mand, early the next morning, upon Edwards's Station, 
marching so as to feel the enemy ; but not to bring on a 
general engagement unless he felt sure of defeating the 
force before him. In accordance with this order, cavalry 
reconnoissances were sent out toward the picket lines of 
the enemy ; three good roads were discovered leading 
from the Bolton and Raymond road to Edwards's Station ; 
and, on the night of the 15th of May, the necessary orders 
were given for the advance of the corps on the morrow. 

An account of the battle of Champion's Hill is given by 
a participant : — 

" The programme of the advance was arranged by Gen- 
eral Grant and General McClernand, as follows : — Extreme 
left, General Smith, supported by General Blair ; on the 
right of General Smith, General Osterhaus, supported by 
General Carr ; General Hovey in the center, with General 
McPherson's corps on the extreme right, Avith General 
Crocker as reserve. In this order the advance was made, 
General McClernand' s corps, with the exception of General 
Hovey' s division, reaching the position by way of the 
several roads leading from Raymond to Edwards' s Station. 



BATTLE AT CHAMPION'S HILL. 



281 



"The enemy's first demonstration was upon our ex- 
treme left, which they attempted to turn. This attempt 
was most gallantly repulsed by General Smith, command- 
ing the left wing. At seven o' clock the skirmishers were 
actively engaged; and, as the enemy sought the cover of 
the forest, our artillery fire was opened, which continued 
without intermission for two hours. At this time General 
Ransom's brigade marched on the field, and took up a 
position, as reserve, behind General Carr. 

"Now the battle raged fearfully along the entire line, 
the evident intention of the enemy being to mass his 
forces upon Hovey on the center. There the fight 
was most earnest ; but General McPherson brought his 
forces into the field, and, after four hours' hard fighting, 
the tide of battle was turned, and the enemy forced to 
retire. 

"Disappointed in his movements upon onr right, the 
rebels turned their attention to the left of Hovey' s division, 
where Colonel Slack commanded a brigade of Indianians. 
Massing his forces here, the enemy hurled them against 
the opposing columns with irresistible impetuosity, and 
forced them to fall back ; not, however, until at least one 
quarter of the troops comprising the brigade were either 
killed or wounded. Taking a new position, and receiving 
fresh re-enforcements, our soldiers again attempted to stem 
the tide, this time with eminent success. The enemy was 
beaten back, and compelled to seek the cover of the forest 
in his rear. Following up their advantage, without wait- 
ing to re-form, the soldiers of the Western army fixed their 
bayonets and charged into the woods after them. The 
rebels were seized with an uncontrollable panic, and 
thought only of escape. In this terrible charge, men were 
slaughtered without mercy. The ground was literally 
covered with the dead and dying. The enemy scattered 
in every direction, and rushed through the fields to reach 
the column now moving to the west, along the Vicksburg 
road. At three o'clock in the afternoon the battle was 
over and the victory won." 

General Johnston's dispatch thus announced the defeat 
of the rebel forces : — 



282 



LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Camp between Livingston and Brownsville. > 
Mississippi, May IS, 1S63. I 

To General S. Cooper: 

Lieutenant-General Pemberton was attacked by the enemy on the morn- 
ing of the 16th inst., near Edwards's Depot, and, after nine hours' lighting, 
was compelled to fall back behind the Big Black. 

J. E. Johnston, General Commanding. 

The dis23atch also sliows the position of the forces that 
retreated from Jackson, and how, by General Grant's 
rapid movements, they had been cut off from forming a 
junction with Pemberton. 

Before leaving Clifton, General Grant apprised General 
Sherman of the approaching engagement at Edwards' s Sta- 
tion, and ordered him to advance upon Bolton as rapidly 
as possible. The dispatch was received on the morning 
of May 16th, and, with his usual promptitude, one of his 
divisions marched at ten o'clock in the forenoon, and he 
followed with the other at noon. 

The whole corps advanced during that day from Jack- 
son to Bolton, nearly twenty miles, and the next morning, 
by order of General Grant, resumed the march, by a road 
lying north of Baker's Creek, to Bridgeport, on the Big 
Black River, where it arrived at noon. At this point 
General Blair's division, by order of General Grant, re- 
joined the command. 

The success at Champion's Hill was the cause of this 
change of route, and, as the enemy had fallen back over 
the Big Black Elver, toward Vicksburg, it was necessary 
that means of crossing should be supplied to the pursu- 
ing troops. When General Sherman arrived at Bridge- 
port, he found that General Grant had looked after 
this vital point, for in his official report he says: 
" There I found General Blair's division and the pontoon 
train." The pontoon bridge was laid, and two divisions 
crossed the river that night, the third following the next 
morning. 

The defeated rebels fell back from Edwards's Sta- 
tion to the Black River, which they crossed by means of 
the railroad bridge. At daylight, on May 17th, the pur- 
suit was renewed, with General McClernand' s Thirteenth 



MEETING THE ENEMY AT BLACK RIVER. 2S3 

Army Corps in the advance. The enemy was found 
strongly posted on both sides of the Black River. At this 
point of the stream the bluffs extend to the water' s edge 
on the west or Yicksburg bank, while on the east side is 
an open, cultivated bottom of nearly one mile in width, 
surrounded by a bayou of stagnant water, from two to 
three feet in depth, and from ten to twenty feet in width, 
running from the river above the railroad to the river 
below. The enemy, by constructing a line of rifle-pits 
along the outside edge of this bayou, had formed it into 
a natural ditch before a fortified work. The spot was 
well chosen for defense, and gave to the enemy every 
advantage. 

The position had, however, to be carried before Vicks- 
burg could be reached ; and notwithstanding the level 
ground over which a portion of the troops had to pass 
without cover, and the great obstacle of the bayou in 
front of the enemy' s works, the charge was gallantly and 
successfully made, and in a few minutes the entire garri- 
son with seventeen pieces of artillery were the trophies 
of this brilliant and daring movement. 

When the rebels on the west bank of the river discov- 
ered that the position on the level below was sure to be 
taken, they destroyed the railroad bridge by fire, with the 
intent of preventing General Grant' s army from crossing 
the Big Black River : but in this operation they merely 
cut off every chance of escape for the garrison on the east- 
ern bank, and the men were therefore all taken prisoners 
with their arms and equipments. 

The enemy had, earlier in the day, out of the hulls of 
three steamboats, constructed a bridge, over which he had 
passed the main body of his army. As the charge was 
made, and it became evident that we should capture the 
position, they burned this bridge, and also the railroad 
bridge across the river just above. 

In the afternoon several attempts were made to cross the 
river, but the sharpshooters lined the bluffs beyond and 
entirely prevented it. Later, the main body of the sharp- 
shooters were dispersed by our artillery. It was not, how- 
ever, safe to stand upon the bank, or cross the open field 



284 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



v 



east of the bridge, until after dark, when the enemy with- 
drew altogether. 

General Sherman, who, with the Fifteenth Corps, during 
the time the battle of Black River was fought, had reached 
Bridgeport by the morning of May 18th, had crossed to the 
west side of the stream, and was ready for the onward 
march. It appears by General Grant's report, that "the 
only pontoon train with the expedition was with him;" 
and as the rebels had destroyed the railroad bridge, it be- 
came necessary, in order to get the Thirteenth and Seven- 
teenth Corps across the river, to build floating bridges, 
which were constructed during the night of May 18th, and 
early morning of the next day. 

At eight o'clock, the two army corps were ready to 
make the crossing. The Fifteenth Corps were now ordered 
in the advance, and commenced moving along the Bridge- 
port and Vicksburg road at a very early hour. 

As the corps arrived within three and a half miles of 
Vicksburg, the men turned to the right, to get possession 
of the Walnut Hills, and to open a communication with the 
fleet in the Yazoo River. This maneuver was successfully 
accomplished by the evening of May 18th. 

The Seventeenth Corps followed the Jackson road until 
it connected with the same road previously taken by the 
Fifteenth. The former then took up the line of march to 
the rear of the latter, and about nightfall arrived at the 
point of the road where General Sherman had turned off 
toward the Yazoo River. 

The Thirteenth Corps had moved by the Jackson and 
Vicksburg road to Mount Albans, whence it turned to the 
left, for the purpose of striking the Baldwin' s Ferry road. 

" By this disposition," says General Grant, " the three 
army corps covered all the ground their strength would 
admit of, and by the morning of the 19th of May the in- 
vestment of Vicksburg was made as complete as could be 
by the forces under my command." 

As the army advanced, it was continually met by the 
rebel skirmishers, Avho fell back steadily to their works 
before the city. "Relying," adds Grant, "upon the de- 
moralization of the enemy, in consequence of repeated 



ASSAULT ON VICKSBURG. 



2sr> 



defeats outside of Vicksburg, I ordered a general assav.lt 
at two p. m.j on this day." 

At the appointed signal, the line of the Fifteenth Army 
Corps advanced, and made a vigorous assault; but the 
other two corps succeeded only in securing advanced posi- 
tions, where they were covered from the enemy' s fire. 

The ground to the right and left of the road by which 
the Fifteenth Corps advanced was cut up in deep chasms, 
filled with standing and falling timber, and was so imprac- 
ticable that the line was slow and irregular in reaching the 
trenches. The object was finally attained, and the colors 
of the Thirteenth United States Infantry planted on the 
exterior slope of the works. But this was not accomplished 
without serious loss. General Sherman reports that the 
4 ''commander of the regiment was mortally wounded, and 
five other officers were wounded more or less severely. 
Seventy-seven, out of two hundred and fifty men, are re- 
ported killed or wounded." Two other regiments reached 
the position about the same time, held their ground, and 
fired upon any head that presented itself above the para- 
pet ; but it was found impossible to enter the works. 
The fight was continued till night ; the men were still 
outside the defenses, and the assaulting column was "then 
withdrawn to a more sheltered position, for the purpose of 
bivouac. 

The army crossed the river early on Monday morning, 
over the bridge constructed during the night. 

The action began by a slow fire from our artillery along 
the whole line, our guns having a pretty long range, and 
eliciting but feeble response from the enemy. 

About noon, Osterhaus's division advanced on the 
left to within about six hundred yards of the enemy's 
works, to find themselves confronted by fifteen redoubts, 
with their rifle-pits, which opened fire upon us whenever 
we appeared on a crest or through a hollow. 

The guns of the rebels appeared to be of small caliber, 
throwing principally grape and canister. Our skirmishers 
were thrown further up ; but little firing was done on 
either side. 

At two o' clock the order came for a general advance 



286 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



upon the rebel works, oyer ground which, on the left, at 
least, was almost impassable under the most peaceful cir- 
cumstances. The order seemed a hard one ; yet nothing is 
too hard for true soldiers to try. 

General A. L. Lee, who commanded the First Brigade 
of Osterhaus's division, and was in the advance, deter- 
mined to carry out his orders if their execution was possi- 
ble. Addressing a few words of cheer to his men, he placed 
himself in front of the center of his brigade, led them for- 
ward in line of battle, and was the first man to gain the 
crest of the hill which he was attempting. He then found 
that it was only the first of several ridges which were to be 
crossed, the ravines between which were swept by the 
guns of the enemy' s redoubts. Still he tried to press on, 
and his brigade of young fellows to follow him, the air, in 
the mean time, thick with bullets and shells ; but a ball 
from the rifle of a sharpshooter struck him on the face, and 
he fell. His brigade withdrew a few feet only, behind the 
crest of the hill on which they had just raised, and held 
their position ; one of the regiments getting so favorable a 
point, that they were able to remain within about two 
hundred yards of one of the redoubts, and to prevent the 
gunners from firing a single shot. 

General Lee, though severely, was by no means dan- 
gerously wounded. His brigade sustained a much smaller 
loss than a distant observer could have believed possible. 

The same degree of success, or want of success, attend- 
ed the movement along the whole line. Our forces moved 
very close to the works, and then remained waiting and 
watching for the near approach of our artillery. At night- 
fall our troops retired a short distance and went into camp. 
During the night, heavy siege-guns were planted by us for 
future use, our light artillery moved nearer, and a slight 
earthwork was thrown up to protect them. 

The official dispatches from General Pemberton, the 
commander at Vicksburg, were sent to Jackson, Miss., and 
from thence telegraphed to the rebel President Davis : — 

Vioksbitbg, Hay 20, 1SC3. 

The enemy assaulted our intrenchments yesterday on our center and left. 
They were repulsed with heavy loss. Our loss is small. The enemy's force 
is at least sixty thousand. 



GENERAL PEMBERTON'S REPORT. 



287 



Vicksburo, May 21, 1868. 

The enemy kept up a heavy artillery fire yesterday. Two of our guns 
were dismounted in the center. Our works, however, were uninjured. 
Their sharpshooters picked off officers and men all day. Our works were 
repaired, and our guns replaced last night. Our men are encouraged by a 
report that General Johnston is near with a large army, and are in good 
spirits. 

We have had a brisk artillery and musketry firing to-day, also heavy 
mortar firing from gun-boats. 

During the past two days transports with troops have gone up the 
river. Their destination is unknown. 

After the withdrawal of the forces from before Vicks- 
burg, the army, for two days, was kept in a state of 
comparative inactivity, although lively skirmishing oc- 
curred all along the line. General Grant was engaged in 
perfecting communications with the depots of supplies 
north of the invested city. The greater part of the troops 
had been marching, and fighting battles for twenty days, 
on an average of about five days' rations, drawn from the 
commissary department. Although the men had not suf- 
fered up to this time, they began to feel the want of bread 
with the other food they had, and to remedy this defi- 
ciency was the commander's first object. 

By the 21st of May, he had completed arrangements for 
the drawing of every description of supply, and was de- 
termined to make another effort to take the city of Vicks- 
burg by storm. 

He was induced to again make the assault upon the 
rebel defenses of Vicksburg from considerations which 
will be at once appreciated by reading a quotation from 
his report: "There were many reasons to determine me 
to adopt this course. I believed an assault, from the posi- 
tion gained by this time, could be made successfully. It 
was known that Johnston was at Canton with the force 
taken by him from Jackson, re-enforced by other troops 
from the East, and that more were daily reaching him. 
With the force I had, a short time must have enabled him 
to attack me in the rear, and, possibly, succeed in raising 
the siege. Possession of Vicksburg at that time would 
have enabled me to have turned upon Johnston and 



288 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



driven Mm from the State, and possess myself of all the 
railroads and practical military highways, thus effectually 
securing to ourselves all territory west of the Tonibig- 
bee, and this before the season was too far advanced for 
campaigning in this latitude. I would have saved the 
Government sending large re- enforcements, much needed 
elsewhere ; and, finally, the troops themselves were im- 
patient to possess Vicksburg, and would not have worked 
in the trenches with the same zeal, believing it unnecessary, 
that they did after their failure to carry the enemy's 
works." 

General Grant prepared for a general assault at ten 
o'clock the next morning, by the whole line ; and, that 
there should be no mistake in the time, when so much 
often depends upon minutes, all the corps commanders set 
their chronometers by the one in the possession of General 
Grant. 

The order was issued to the corps commanders : — 

HEA.D-QtrAr.TE23 the Field, May 21, 1863. 

Geneeal : — A simultaneous attack will be made to-morrow at ten 
o'clock a. M., by all the army corps of this army. 

During this day, army corps commanders will have examined all prac- 
tical routes over which troops can possibly pass. They will get in position 
all the artillery possible, and gain all the ground they can with their 
infantry and skirmishers. 

At an early hour in the morning a vigorous attack will be commenced 
by artillery and skirmishers. The infantry, with the exception of reserves 
and skirmishers, will be placed in column of platoons, or by a flank, if the 
ground over which they may have to pass will not admit of a greater front, 
ready to move forward at the hour designated. Promptly at the hour 
designated all will start, at quick time, with bayonet fixed, and march 
immediately upon the enemy, without firing a gun until the outer works 
are carried. Skirmishers will advance as soon as possible after heads of 
columns pass them, and scale the walls of such works as may confront 
them. 

By order of U. S. Geant, Major-General Commanding. 

Five minutes before ten o'clock, on the morning of 
May 22d, the bugles rang along the line to prepare for the 
charge, and, at ten o'clock precisely, the three army corps 
commenced their movement in the following order : Gen- 
eral McClernand, with the Thirteenth Army Corps on the 



SECOND ASSAULT ON VICKSBURG. 039 

left, General McPherson, with the Seventeenth in the 
center, and General Sherman, with the Fifteenth on the 
right General Grant himself took up a commanding 
position near the front of the Seventeenth Corps, by which 
he was enabled to see all the advancing columns from that 
corps, and part of each of those on the right and left. 

The preliminary work had been performed by the 
artillery, and the outer works were breached in several 
places. Under cover of this fire, the infantry advanced to 
the charge. Brigade after brigade rushed forward, and 
slope and ditch were carried at the point of the bayonet 
The Stars and Stripes were planted on several portions of 
the outer slopes of the enemy's bastions, and they were 
maintained in that position until night The assault was 
a splendid one, and was gallantly performed by all the 
troops on every part of the line ; but the position of the 
enemy could not be thus taken. Vicksburg had always 
been naturally strong, and art had greatly improved it by 
the cutting of ditches, felling of trees, construction of 
works, and, what is of far more importance, the proper 
location of batteries to guard every avenue of approach. 
General Sherman reported that the artillery lire from the 
rebel works, on one part of his line, was so steady and 
severe, that it was impossible for the infantry to pass that 
point ; and, even when an attempt was made to take the 
death-dealing works, it was found to be so well covered 
by others, that the assaulting party recoiled under the 
effects of a staggering fire. 

Notwithstanding this fearful artillery reply to the on- 
set, there were instances of individual bravery never 
surpassed. The walls were scaled, but with no success- 
ful result. Although assaulted in every part and at the 
same time, the enemy was able to show as much force as 
his works could cover. "The assault failed," says Gen- 
eral Grant, "but without weakening the confidence of 
the troops in their ability to ultimately succeed." They 
knew well that the failure did not arise from lack of 
courage in themselves, or skill in their commander ; but 
they also discovered that works of the character which 
defended Vicksburg could not be carried by storm. 
19 



290 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 



The position taken np by General Grant gave hiin a 
view of the whole field of action, and he states emphatic- 
ally that "the assanlt of this day proved the quality of the 
soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee. Without success, 
and with a heavy loss, there was no murmuring nor com- 
plaining, no falling back, nor other evidence of demoraliza- 
tion." This fact alone proves the value of the discipline 
by which he had reared his army, and the love the men 
bore their commanders. 

Shortly after this assault, dissensions arose in the army 
in regard to the merits of the troops, and in consequence 
of a congratulatory order, issued by General McClernand, 
on May 30th, the quarrel would have probably ended in 
a complete disruption of the whole force, had it not been 
for the prompt action of General Grant. It will be remem- 
bered that General McClernand had served with him from 
the time he first took command at Cairo to the assault of 
Vicksburg ; and that naturally there existed a friendship 
between them, which would have been provocative of 
great jealousy among the other commanders if General 
Grant had overlooked the matter in question, especially 
under the circumstances. This was the objectionable 
passage in the order :— 

u How and why the general assault failed, it would be 
needless now to explain. The Thirteenth Army Corps, 
acknowledging the good intentions of all, would scorn in- 
dulgence in weak regrets and idle criminations. Accord- 
ing justice to all, it would only defend itself. If, while 
the enemy was massing to crush it, assistance was asked 
for by a division at other points, or by re-enforcements, 
it only asked what, in one case, Major- General Grant had 
specifically and peremptorily ordered, namely, simulta- 
neous and persistent attack all along our line, until the 
enemy' s outer works should be carried ; and what, in 
the other, by massing a strong force in time upon a weak- 
ened point, would have probably insured success." 

A correspondence between the commander of the Thir- 
teenth Army Corps and the general commanding the army 
followed, and the following letter was sent from the former 
to the latter : — 



GENERAL McCLERNAND AND GENERAL GRANT. 291 



Head-Qttakters Thirteenth Army Corps, ) 
Battle-field near Vicksburg, June 4, 1863. » 

General: — What appears to be a systematic effort to destroy my use- 
fulness and reputation as a commander, makes it proper that I should 
address you this note. 

It is reported, among other things, as I understand, that I attacked the 
enemy's works, on the 22d ult., without authority ; again, that I attacked 
too late ; again, that I am responsible for your failure and losses ; again, 
that I am arrested and being sent North ; again, that my command is 
turned over to another officer; and again, that you have personally as- 
sumed command of it. These reports are finding their way from the land- 
ings up the river. 

I hardly need say to you that all these reports are false; that I obeyed 
orders in attacking ; that my attack was more prompt, and in a large meas- 
ure more successful, than any other ; that the ultimate failure of the gen- 
eral attack, and losses attending the failure, were, under the circumstances, 
unavoidable consequences of obstacles found to be insurmountable, and 
in spite of a determined effort on my part to carry and hold the works 
in obedience to your express and peremptory order. I may add that I 
am not yet under arrest, or being sent away, or superseded in my com- 
mand. 

All these things being known to you, and these false reports being 
brought to your notice, it remains for you to determine whether truth, 
justice, and generosity do not call on you for such a declaration as will be 
conclusive in the matter. Your obedient servant, 

John A. McClernand, Major-General Commanding. 

Major-General U. S. Grant, Commanding Department Tennessee. 

To this General Grant replied as follows : — 

Head-Qtxarters Department op the Tennessee, } 
Near Vicksburg, June 7, 1863. » 

Major-General J. A. MoClernand, Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps : 
General : — Inclosed I send you what purports to be your congratula- 
tory address to the Thirteenth Army Corps. 

I would respectfully ask if it is a true copy. If it is not a correct copy, 
furnish me one by bearer, as required both by regulations and existing 
orders of the Department. 

Yery respectfully, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General. 

General McClernand was absent at the time General 
Grant's dispatch reached his head-quarters, and did not 
return until the 15th of June. As soon as he came hack, 



292 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and had read General Grant's communication, lie at once 
telegraphed the following reply thereto :— 

Head-Quarters Thirteenth Armt Corps, I 
Near VicKSBtfRG, June 15, 1S63. f 

Major-General Grant: 

I have just returned. The newspaper slip is a correct copy of my con- 
gratulatory order, No. 72. I am prepared to maintain its statements. 

I regret that my adjutant did not send you a copy promptly, as he 
ought, and I thought he had. 

John A. McCleenand, Major-General Commanding. 

This, of course, settled the matter as to the authenticity 
of the document in question ; and as the order implied a 
direct censure of the commanding general, and an indirect 
"breach of the sixth Article of War, General Grant, rightly 
appreciating the urgent necessity of the case, with the de- 
sire to save his army even at the cost of his friend, imme- 
diately issued a special order, of which the following is an 
extract :— 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Near Vicksbdrg, Miss., June 15, 1863. t 

[Special Orders, No. 164.] — Extract. 

Major-General John A. McClernand is hereby relieved from the com- 
mand of the Thirteenth Army Corps. He will proceed to any point he 
may select in the State of Illinois, and report by letter to head-quarters of 
the army for orders. 

Major-General E. 0. C. Ord is hereby appointed to the command of 
the Thirteenth Army Corps, subject to the approval of the President, and 
will immediately assume charge of the same. 

Major-General U. S. Geant. 

On receipt of this order, General McClernand turned 
over his command to General Ord. 

That no ill feeling existed between the commanders is 
evident from the concluding paragraph of General McCler- 
nand' s report of the part taken by himself and his corps 
in the Vicksburg campaign. The report is dated two clays 
after he was removed from command, and closes with these 
words : — 

" Sympathizing with the general commanding the noble 
Army of the Tennessee, in the loss of so many brave men, 
killed and wounded, I cannot but congratulate him in my 



THE BOAST OF GENERAL PEMBERTON. 



293 



thankfulness to Providence upon the many and signal 
successes which have crowned his arms in a just cause." 

It had been reported in the rebel army that General 
Pemberton had "sold" the battle-fields of Champion's 
Hill and Big Black Elver Bridge. After the repulse of 
the Union assault upon the works at Vicksburg, he made 
a brief but pithy speech to his command : — 

" You have heard that I was incompetent and a traitor, 
and that it was my intention to sell Vicksburg. Follow 
me, and you will see the cost at which I will sell Vicks- 
burg. When the last pound of beef, bacon, and flour ; 
the last grain of corn ; the last cow, and hog, and horse, 
and dog shall have been consumed, and the last man shall 
have perished in the trenches, then, and only then, will I 
sell Vicksburg." 

The bold words indicate the determination with which 
the rebels intended to resist the advance of General Grant, 
and the reduction of their fortified city. 

In the meantime Colonel Corwyn's brigade of Union 
cavalry was making very successful raids into Alabama, 
etc., destroying lines of communication, factories, mills, 
workshops, ammunition, ordnance stores, depots of sup- 
plies, and other valuable property belonging to the rebel 
government, or its military authorities. Private prop- 
erty, however, was almost universally respected, with the 
exception of such supplies as were needful for his com- 
mand, and for which proper receipts were given. 



294 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG. 

General Grant falls Back. — The slower work of a Siege. — The Troops Ready for 
it. — Anecdotes of General Grant. — -Amusing Scenes. — Various Movements. — 
The Sapping and Mining. — Mine Exploded. — An Exciting Struggle. — The Siege 
goes on. — The Rebels begin to feel the Death-grasp of General Grant. — General 
Pemberton opens Correspondence. — The Surrender of the City. 

After the failure of the assault, General Grant deter- 
mined to resort to the slow, but certain method of a regular 
siege. The troops, having seen the necessity of it, performed 
their part with cheerfulness. 

The advance of each corps was pushed up as close as 
possible to the rebel works, which were nearly invested by 
the troops already under General Grant's command. But 
still there were points at which portions of the rebel garri- 
son would slip out, and supplies be taken into their fortress. 
The communication between General Johnston, who was at 
Canton, Miss., and General Pemberton, at Vicksburg, was 
but partially interrupted ; and, while this leak existed, it 
was impossible to reduce the place by siege. General Her- 
ron' s command was, therefore, withdrawn from northwest- 
ern Arkansas, and added to the force at the extreme left of 
the Union lines. This secured the complete investment of 
the fortified city. 

The position of the army at the end of May was as fol- 
lows : — 

General Grant was well up to the rebel fortifications, 
and was daily enlarging and strengthening his own. The 
extreme left, occupied by General Herron, was so situated 
topographically as to require less formidable opposing 
works than at any other point ; but even there they were 
on a scale sufficiently important to meet successfully any 
demonstration the rebels might make in that direction. 

The Thirteenth Army Corps had the perfect range of the 



MOVEMENTS AROUND VICKSBURG-. 



295 



forts opposite their position, and kept down the rebel 
sharpshooters, and prevented the successful working of 
their artillery. 

The Seventeenth Corps planted a heavy battery of siege- 
guns within a hundred yards of the fort, and expected to 
do excellent service in battering down the earthworks. 
Advantage had been taken of the topographical peculiarities 
of the ground, and a covered pathway constructed, through 
which the cannoneers could pass to and fro without danger 
from the sharpshooters. 

The Fifteenth Corps, on the extreme right, was equally 
busy. General Tuttle had built a fort, the guns of which 
enfiladed one of the enemy' s most important, and, to us, 
destructive positions. This, of course, rendered it practi- 
cally useless, and, had It not been for the line of rifle-pits 
on the Vicksburg side, which commanded the interior, it 
might have been stormed and carried any time. 

General Blair held Haines' s Bluff, and the country be- 
tween the Yazoo and the Big Black River. 

There the fated city stands, in the ring of Union cannon 
and bayonets, while the unyielding, taciturn, patient com- 
mander settles down, the last of May, for a summer resi- 
dence there. If he can continue his visit to Pemberton 
longer than the latter wishes him to, or can stay at liome 
himself, then he will have to leave his castle, and let his 
outdoor and unwelcome visitor go in and help himself to 
what may remain. Subterranean pathways are dug for 
the gunners, and other troops, who thus escape the bullets 
of the sharpshooters. 

Around Vicksburg, our men took what rations they 
could, and then tried to live on the country, which had 
little to offer. At one time, their movements were so 
rapid that there was no time to cook, if they had food. A 
hardbread or a corn pone would command a dollar at any 
moment. Some one found a negro with a half peck of 
meal, and six men, with bayonets, mounted guard over the 
fire while the bread was baking for General Grant's luxu- 
rious repast. After these privations, one of the officers, 
who was coming down, brought a basket of ale to the gen- 
eral and his staff. General Grant expressed his thanks, 



296 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



appreciated the kindness, and would just taste it, in 
acknowledgment ; but lie drank none — not even ale. 

In repeating some anecdote of General Grant which he 
had heard, a gentleman said : — 

" Grant's answer was, with an oath, fc I don't believe it. 
It is one of the rebel lies.' An officer replied : 'No, I do 
not think he said that. I never heard him utter one pro- 
fane word.' " 

The same officer was speaking of the difference between 
Kosecrans and Grant, in the matter of generalship. On 
one occasion, during a fight, Rosecrans was standing in a 
commanding position, and giving his orders. Suddenly 
he started, and made toward a regiment, to chase back one 
man who was running, and spent some little time, in the 
height of the battle, sending him back to his place. 
Grant, in the midst of fighting, was watching intently, and 
working earnestly, when he was accosted by a surgeon. 
He had taken a fine house for a hospital, and had his 
wounded gathered in and about it, when, in the turn of the 
fight, shot and shell began to fall among the poor fellows. 
"General," said he, " what shall I do I Some of my poor 
men are getting wounded a second time." "Don't come 
to me," said General Grant, mildly, but earnestly ; "I have 
this battle to fight ; that is your business. I can't attend 
to your wounded, nor think of them now. Don' t interrupt 
me!" waving his hand; "I have this fighting to attend 
to." 

A cloud passed over the "Confederacy," with the in- 
credible, astounding fact, that General Grant had completely 
outwitted the traitors — gone across their soil, and set him- 
self down coolly to watch the boasted Sebastopol, making 
a fearful prison of his enemy' s fortress. How fearful it soon 
became, you can guess from the thousands of horses and 
mules turned out of it because they could not be fed. Gen- 
eral Grant secured and used many of them. 

Singular scenes occur across the lines of the hostile 
armies. Just after Vicksburg was invested, a sharpshooter, 
from the works, politely asked of one in ours : 

" Can you give a fellow a drink of coffee, if he goes 
there ?" 



THE REBEL VISITOR. 



297 



" Plenty of it." 

"Well, comrades," says reb., " shall I go ?" 
" Yes ; go ahead." 

The rifleman did go, and, for the first time in a year, 
drank a cup of coffee. 

He lingered, and was evidently in no haste to return. 

" Come back !" shouted his friends. 

" Think not ; this coffee won't let me. Good-by." 

And the soldier of Yicksburg remained where he found 
"enough and to spare," while his disloyal brethren, of a 
common heritage, were "in want." 

It became apparent to the commanding general that it 
was Johnston' s purpose to advance and fall upon his rear. 
The mode of getting the intelligence was novel, and is 
related by an officer of the army : — 

" General Pemberton was anxious to indicate to General 
Johnston his exact situation, and sent a trusty fellow named 
Douglas — son of a prominent citizen of Illinois, who, several 
years before, migrated to Texas, and there joined the rebel 
service — through his lines, with instructions to make his 
way by night past the Union pickets, and, seizing the first 
horse he met, to ride to General Johnston, at Jackson. On 
the night of May 27th, at dark, he started, and, holding a 
pass from Pemberton, was allowed to leave the inclosure 
in the rear of Yicksburg. Young Douglas had, unknown 
to his superiors, for a long time meditated escape, and he 
could not neglect this golden opportunity. Instead of try- 
ing to avoid our pickets, therefore, he marched boldly up 
to them, and surrendered himself a prisoner. General 
Lauman conversed with him long enough to discover 
that there was meat in that shell, and sent him to Gen- 
eral Grant. To him he delivered the message he was in- 
structed to deliver to Johnston. It was, in effect, as 
follows : 

"'I have 15,000 men in Yicksburg, and rations for 
thirty days — one meal a day. Come to my aid with an 
army of 30,000 men. Attack Grant in his rear. If you 
cannot do this within ten days, you had better retreat. 
Ammunition is almost exhausted, particularly percussion 
caps.' This is the substance of the message, although not 



298 LIFE AXD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

its exact terms. Douglas volunteered, also, other valuable 
information, which leaves no doubt of the ultimate capture 
of the rebel army.-' 

General Pemberton saw that the siege might be a long 
one, and as his supplies had been cut off, he, for the sake 
of economizing rations, ordered every horse and mule, ex- 
cept those used by field and staff officers, to be turned out- 
side his lines. Of these the Union troops secured several 
thousand. When General Grant first opened a concen- 
trated fire upon Yicksburg from his lines of circumvalla- 
tion, the herd of beef cattle was exposed, and a large 
number killed. The rebels soon removed these animals to 
a place of greater safety. 

To prevent Johnston' s forces from getting to the rear, 
General Osterhaus, with his division, was sent to the Big 
Black River to guard the crossings, and to resist any at- 
tempt of the enemy to force a passage. A reconnoissance 
was also sent out, under General Blair, to ascertain the po- 
sition of Johnston' s army, and reported no enemy within 
striking distance. 

The facts collected concerning the enemy were, that 
Johnston had at his call twenty thousand men at Canton, 
and a similar number at Jackson. This force was com- 
posed of very old and young men, all conscripted for the 
occasion, and were without arms. His serviceable force 
did not number more than fifteen thousand, though by the 
inhabitants it is estimated much higher. 

The expedition returned, confident that no fears should 
be entertained of serious difficulty from the Big Black, at 
any rate for some time. His last experience had so intimi- 
dated the rebel general that there was little danger of great 
boldness on his part, and, so long as he remained on the 
other side of the river, General Grant was informed that 
he need have no concern about him. Our cavalry was 
always in movement in that direction, and kept close watch 
on all his plans. 

The captures made during the expedition amounted to 
five hundred head of cattle, five hundred horses and mules, 
one hundred bales of cotton, and ten thousand pounds of 
bacon. All bridges were either burned or demolished, and 



THE PROGRESS OF THE SIEGE. 



299 



all forage destroyed. In a word, the country was divest- 
ed of every tiling useful to the enemy. 

Meanwhile General Grant set the sappers and miners at 
work upon the most eligible sites. Mines were dug, pow- 
der planted, and every thing made ready to Mow up the 
advanced works, at the shortest notice. The rebel works, 
in the front and rear, were also bombarded, at intervals, 
night and day, first by the fleet, then from the approaching 
parallels, and so alternately, during the whole month of 
the siege. And as the shells burst in the works, it inspired 
the men with greater vigor. 

About the middle of June, the Ninth Army Corps, un- 
der General Parke, and a part of the Sixteenth Army 
Corps, under General Washburne, were added to General 
Grant's command, and by him stationed in the vicinity of 
the Big Black River, to resist any movement of Johnston, 
and, if necessary, to attack and drive him back. 

It had also been reported that General Johnston was 
again approaching the Big Black River, with a very large 
improvised force. About this time a courier was captured, 
who had managed to get out of Vicksburg during the night, 
and had passed the picket lines under cover of the dark- 
ness. He had upon him a number of letters from the rebel 
soldiers, to their wives. The men wrote in a sad tone ; 
but stated that they were resigned, and put their trust in 
the Lord. They, however, still lived in hopes of Joe 
J ohnston coming to their relief. An expedition was then 
formed to resist the advance of General Johnston' s forces, 
and General Sherman was placed in command. General 
Grant, in his notes to General Sherman, accompanying the 
order for the movement, spoke of these letters. 

"They seem," said he, "to put a great deal of faith in 
the Lord and J oe Johnston, but you must whip Johnston 
at least fifteen miles from here." 

The following order to General Parke shows the same 
decided determination with regard to Johnston's forces:— 

June 22. 1S68. 

General Paeke : — Sherman goes out from here with five brigade?, and 
Osterhaus's division subject to his orders besides. In addition to this, 
another division, 5,000 strong, is notified to be in readiness to move on no- 



300 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tice. In addition to this, I can spare still another division, 6,000 strong, if 
they should be required. We want to whip Johnston at least fifteen miles 
off, if possible. 

U. S. Gkant, Major-General. 

The result of the movement was, that General Johnston, 
finding General Grant' s position to be as strong in the rear 
as it was in the front, and that Vicksburg was certainly 
doomed, gave up all hope of diverting the attacking 
general from his settled purpose, and retreated toward 
Jackson. 

The sappers and miners pushed on their work with a 
steady perseverance, until, on June 25th, 1863, the mines 
were ready to be sprung. All the time the excavation had 
been in progress a most rigid guard had been kept upon 
the entrances, and even the field and line officers of General 
Grant' s army were not allowed to inspect the mines. The 
utmost secrecy was observed, and though some knew the 
intention to blow up the enemy's works, yet how or where 
it was to be done was a matter known to but few. The 
guards at the head of the saps were instructed to allow no 
one to pass under the rank of a general, with an exception 
in the case of engineers and workmen immediately in 
charge. 

Every thing was finished. The vitalizing spark had 
quickened the hitherto passive agent, and the now harm- 
less flashes went hurrying to the center. The troops had 
been withdrawn. The forlorn hope stood out in plain 
view, boldly awaiting the uncertainties of the precarious 
office. A chilling sensation ran through the frame as an 
observer looked down upon this devoted band about to 
hurl itself into the breach — perchance into the jaws of 
death. Thousands of men in arms flashed on every hill. 
Every one was speechless. Even men of tried valor — 
veterans insensible to the shouts of contending battalions, 
or nerved to the shrieks of comrades suffering under the 
torture of painful agonies — stood motionless as they direct- 
ed their eyes upon the spot where soon the terror of a 
buried agency would discover itself in wild concussions 
and contortions, carrying annihilation to all within the 
scope of its tremendous power. It was the seeming torpor 



THE EXPLOSION OF THE MINE. 



301 



which, precedes the antagonism of powerful bodies. Five 
minutes had elapsed. It seemed like an existence. Five 
minutes more, and yet no signs of the expected exhibition. 
An indescribable sensation of impatience, blended with a 
still active anticipation, ran through the assembled specta- 
tors. A small column of smoke now appeared ; every 
one thought the crisis had come, and almost saw the ter- 
rific scene which the mind had depicted. But not yet. 
Every eye now centered upon the smoke, momentarily 
growing greater and greater. Thus another five minutes 
wore away, and curiosity was not satisfied. Another few 
minutes, then the explosion ; and upon the horizon could 
be seen an enormous column of earth, dust, timbers, and 
projectiles lifted into the air at an altitude of at least 
eighty feet. One entire face of the fort was disembodied 
and scattered in particles all over the surrounding surface. 
The right and left faces were also much damaged ; but 
fortunately enough of them remained to afford an excellent 
protection on our flanks. 

As soon as the explosion had taken place, the greatest 
activity was manifested along the whole line, under the 
soul-inspiring orders of General Grant. Here is a speci- 
men of the style in which that general called for vigilance 
on the pjart of his troops : — 

June 25, 18GS. 

General Oed : 

McPherson occupies the crater made by the explosion. He will have 
guns in battery there by morning. He has been hard at work running 
rifle-pits right, and thinks he will hold all gained. Keep Smith's division 
sleeping under arms to-night, ready for an emergency. Their services may 
be required, particularly about daylight. There should be the greatest 
vigilance along the whole line. 

U. 8. Ghant, Major-General. 

In the mean time, the gunboat fleet off Warrenton com- 
menced a bombardment of the enemy's forts. This was 
kept up without intermission until midnight, when it was 
slackened to desultory shots. The fuses of the shells as 
they ascended in the air were easily distinguishable, and 
looked in their course like shooting meteors. When they 
struck, the shells exploded with terrific report. Others 



302 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



burst in the air, with fiery flashes and streams, forming, 
with the illumined arena of the conflict "below, a rare and 
awfully grand pyrotechnic display. 

General Grant resumed the operation of constructing 
parallels, to approach sufficiently near the rebel fortifica- 
tions to take them by a sudden dash. As the United 
States troops advanced, the rebels retired, constructing 
inner lines of defenses as the outer ones were taken. On 
the 28th of June ours were thirteen hundred yards nearer 
the city than the original works. As these lines were ad- 
vanced on all sides at the same time, the rebel area of 
operations became more and more circumscribed. 

During this bombardment every effort was made to re- 
duce the works without unnecessarily damaging the city. 

Affirmed a close observer of the siege — "At no time 
has General Grant sought the destruction of the city. He 
wishes to spare it for the city itself, and because it con- 
tains women and children. As long as the rebel army 
confines its operations outside its limits, the city will 
remain intact. If it had been necessary to destroy the 
city, our guns now in range could have accomplished the 
work. 

The capture of Vicksburg is a foregone conclusion. 
We get the evidence of the fact from the rebels them- 
selves. A few days ago, a rebel mail was captured coming 
out from Vicksburg, in which were letters from prominent 
men in the rebel army, who state that they cannot hold 
out much longer, and informing their friends that they ex- 
pect to spend their summer in Northern prisons. Better 
evidence of the condition of things in the rebel army can- 
not be desired. 

So far as the siege of this place goes, I presume the 
people at home, in their easy chairs, think it ought to 
have been finished long since. To such let me say, could 
they be present here, and make a tour of the country in 
this vicinity, and see the configuration of the country, its 
broken topography, its high and abrupt hills, deep gul- 
lies, gorges, and dilapidated roads, they would then 
realize the difficulties of the work. Then there is a large 
army to feed, great materiel to be brought into position, 



GENERAL GRANT CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS. 303 

all of which, demands large transportation, and the united 
efforts of thousands of men. 

General Grant acts independently of opinions of the 
public. He fully realizes the responsibility of his position, 
and, in the duty before him, he is determined to accom- 
plish his -work with as great an economy of human life as 
possible. He feels now that the prize is within his grasp, 
and a little patience will achieve all, which, if rashly sought, 
might cost the lives of the brave army with whom he has 
gained so many victories. 

General Sherman' s expedition returned without meeting 
near the doomed city the army under General Joseph E. 
Johnston. The commander obtained sufficient intelligence 
of his movements to decide General Grant' s plan of opera- 
tions after the reduction of Vicksburg. 

The bombardment and approaches steadily progressed, 
and it was whispered about among the troops that on the 
following anniversary of the day of Independence a grand 
assault was to be made, to take the place by storm. The 
rebels at least suspected it ; for, on the morning of the pre- 
vious day, July 3, 1863, a flag of truce left the rebel lines, 
with a sealed communication for General Grant, borne by 
General Bo wen and Colonel Montgomery. The bearers of 
the document having been taken to the nearest general 
head-quarters, a courier was at once dispatched, with all 
possible haste, to the chief commanding officer. 

On opening the document, General Grant found the foh 
lowing communication, addressed to himself : — 

Head-Qtiaetees, Yicksbueg, July 3, 1863. 

Major-General Grant, commanding United States forces : 

General : — I have the honor to propose to you an armistice for — hours, 
with a view to arranging terms for the capitulation of Vicksburg. To this 
end, if agreeable to you, I will appoint three commissioners, to meet a like 
number to be named by yourself, at such place and hour as you may find 
convenient. I make this proposition to save the further effusion of blood, 
which must otherwise be shed to a frightful extent, feeling myself fully 
able to maintain my position for a yet indefinite period. This communica- 
tion will be handed you, under a flag of truce, by Major-General James 
Bowen. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. C. Pemberton. 



304 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



To this General Grant replied as follows : — - 

Head-Quarters Department of Tennessee, 1 
IN the Field, near Vicksburg, July 3, 1863. j 

Lieutenant-General J. C. Pemberton, commanding Confederate forces, &c. : 
General :— Your note of this date, just received, proposes an armistice 
of several hours for the purpose of arranging terms of capitulation through 
commissioners to be appointed, &c. The effusion of blood you propose 
stopping by this course can be ended at any time you may choose, by an 
unconditional surrender of the city and garrison. Men who have shown 
so much endurance and courage as those now in Vicksburg will always 
challenge the respect of an adversary, and I can assure you will be treated 
with all the respect due them as prisoners of war. I do not favor the 
proposition of appointing commissioners to arrange terms of capitulation, 
because I have no other terms than those indicated above. 

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

TJ. S. Grant, Major-General. 

General Bowen expressed a wish to converse with the 
general on this important matter ; but the latter at once de- 
clined. General Bowen then requested that General Grant 
would meet General Pemberton on neutral ground, as more 
could be arranged at one personal interview than by an ex- 
change of numerous dispatches. General Grant very readily 
replied he would willingly do so in person, offering to meet 
General Pemberton the same afternoon at three o'clock, 
and consult with him on the terms he would grant the 
garrison. This reply was placed in the hands of the rebel 
messengers, who, blindfolded, were conducted back to the 
place of entrance to the Union lines, and were there set at 
liberty, to return with the answer. 

Nothing more was now done until afternoon. The 
artillery reopened, and the siege went on as before. By 
noon, however, the general promulgated his orders, requir- 
ing a temporary cessation of hostilities. 

At three o'clock precisely, one gun, the prearranged 
signal, was tired, and immediately replied to by the enemy. 
General Pemberton then made his appearance on the works 
in McPherson's front, under a white flag, considerably^ on 
the left of what is known as Fort Hill. General Grant rode 
through our trenches until he came to an outlet, leading to 
a small green space, which had not been trod by either 
army. Here he dismounted, and advanced to meet Gen- 



THE CONFERENCE WITH GENERAL PEMBERTON. 305 



eral Pemberton, with whom he shook hands, and greeted 
familiarly. 

It was beneath the outspreading branches of a gigantic 
oak that the conference of the generals took place. Here 
presented the only space which had not been used for some 
purpose or other by the contending armies. The ground 
was covered with a fresh, luxuriant verdure ; here and 
there a shrub or clump of bushes could be seen standing 
out from the green growth on the surface, while several 
oaks filled up the scene, and gave it character. Some of 
the trees, in their tops, exhibited the effects of flying pro- 
jectiles, by the loss of limbs or torn foliage, and in their 
trunks the indentations of smaller missiles plainly marked 
the occurrences to which they had been silent witnesses. 

The party made up to take part in the conference was 
composed as follows : — 

UNITED STATES OFFICERS. 

Major- General U. S. Grant. 
Major-General James B. McPherson. 
Brigadier- General A. J. Smith. 

REBEL OFFICERS. 

Lieutenant- General John C. Pemberton. 
Major- General Bowen. 

Colonel Montgomery, A. A. G. to Gen. Pemberton. 

When Generals Grant and Pemberton met, they shook 
hands, Colonel Montgomery introducing the party. A short 
silence ensued, at the expiration of which, General Pem- 
berton remarked : — 

" General Grant, I meet you in order to arrange terms 
for the capitulation of Yicksburg and its garrison. What 
terms do you demand V 9 

"Unconditional surrender" replied General Grant. 

" Unconditional surrender!" said Pemberton. "Nev- 
er, so long as I have a man left me ! I will fight rather." 

"Then, sir, you can continue the defense," coolly said 
General Grant. "My army has never been in a better 
condition for the prosecution of the siege." 
20 



306 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEAJSTT. 

During the passing of these few preliminaries, General 
Pemlberto-n was greatly agitated, quaking from head to foot ; 
while General Grant experienced all his natural self-pos- 
session, and evinced not the least sign of embarrassment. 

After a short conversation standing, by a kind of mu- 
tual tendency, the two generals wandered off from the rest 
of the party and seated themselves on the grass, in a cluster 
of bushes, where alone they talked over the important 
events then pending. General Grant could be seen, even 
at that distance, talking coolly, occasionally giving a few 
puffs at his favorite companion — his black cigar. General 
McPherson, General A. J. Smith, General Bowen and Colo- 
nel Montgomery, imitating the example of the commanding 
generals, seated themselves at some distance off, while the 
respective staffs of the generals formed another and larger 
group in the rear. 

After a lengthy conversation, the generals separated. 
General Pemberton did not come to any conclusion on the 
matter, but stated his intention to submit the matter to a 
council of general officers of his command ; and, in the 
event of their assent, the surrender of the city should be 
made in the morning. Until morning was given him to 
consider, to determine upon the matter, and send in his 
final reply. The generals now rode to their respective 
quarters. 

General Grant conferred with his corps and division 
commanders, and sent a letter to General Pemberton, by 
the hands of General Logan and Lieutenant-Colonel Wil- 
son : — 

Head-Quarters Department of Tennessee, | 
Near Vicksburg, July 3, 1S63. > 

Lieutenant-General J. 0. Pembeetox, commanding Confederate forces, 
Vicksburg, Miss. : 

Gexeeal : — In conformity with the agreement of this afternoon, I will 
submit the following proposition for the surrender of the city of Vicksburg, 
public stores, &c. On your accepting the terms proposed, I will march in 
one division, as a guard, and take possession at eight o'clock to-morrow 
morning. As soon as paroles can be made out and signed by the officers 
and men, you will be allowed to march out of our lines, the officers taking 
with them their regimental clothing, and staff, field, and cavalry officers 
one horse each. The rank and file will be allowed all their clothing, but 
no other property. 



SCENES ATTENDING- THE VICTORY. 



307 



If these conditions are accepted, any amount of rations you may deem 
necessary can be taken from the stores you now have, and also the neces- 
sary cooking utensils for preparing them: thirty wagons also, counting two 
two-horse or mule teams as one. You will be allowed to transport such 
articles as cannot be carried along. The same conditions will be allowed 
to all sick and wounded officers and privates, as fast as they become able to 
travel. The paroles for these latter must be signed, however, while officers 
are present, authorized to sign the roll of prisoners. 

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major- General. 

From the time of the "breaking up of the conference of 
generals, till this morning, when the surrender became an 
irrevocable fact, the impatience and restlessness of the en- 
tire army were greater than can possibly be imagined. The 
troops ceased their customary vigilance and wandered from 
camp to camp in a state of listless inaction. There was no 
firing from the trenches or batteries, for orders had been 
promulgated that all operations of a hostile character should 
cease until resumed by authority from head-quarters. This 
was the first instance of a cessation of firing since our arrival. 
The existence of the two armies was not perceptible except 
in the presence of the troops. Everywhere silence and re- 
laxation reigned. It was a change from the most exacting 
duty on the one hand, to the most extreme idleness on the 
other. The only appearance of duty by either army was 
on the part of a few sentinels, national and rebel, posted at 
various points along our lines and the rebel works, to keep 
back the curious of our own men, as well as to stay the 
desire of the enemy to penetrate within our lines and see 
the perfect network of approaches by means of which we 
have advanced unharmed up to the very ditches of their 
forts. 

The remainder of yesterday was passed by many of the 
soldiers of both armies in chats upon various matters con- 
nected with the campaign. Knots of a half dozen of our 
men, and a like number of rebels, could be seen here and 
there reclining upon the exterior slope of the enemy's 
works, engaged in enthusiastic conversation, not unfre- 
quently relieving its monotony by physical application 
upon each other, to enforce the veracity of their assertions, 



308 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEKAL GRANT. 



when doubted by the party opposite. Thus did they 
while away the hours of the evening until tattoo, when the 
soldiers of each side, excepting those on sentinel duty, 
disappeared. 

During the night no startling occurrence happened, all 
"being quiet. 

The morning of this thrice glorious Fourth dawned with 
a cloudless sky, and, even ere the sun had risen, the camps 
were alive with an anticipating and impatient set, whose 
loquacity poured itself forth, in a confusion of languages 
which might be heard ringing in the clear air at a distance 
several times the usual compass of the human voice. Nor 
were the speculations of the men less various than their 
language. One had his reasons for knowing that the rebels 
were using the present moments of respite to strengthen 
themselves, or to consolidate their force on some unexpect- 
ed point of attack, or perhaps to elfect some other designs 
equally as nefarious, of which we were not aware. Some 
said the enemy had no intention of surrendering, but, fear- 
ing a first-class Fourth-of-July bombardment, they hit 
upon the present plan of eluding such a direful visitation 
and its necessary results. In this way reasoned many. 
Another set thought, if it really were the intention of the 
enemy to surrender, it was time they were coming to a con- 
clusioD. They "could not see why they did not do so at 
once "they thought the rebels were playing a sharp 
game," and so forth — every man giving himself a vast 
amount of unnecessary trouble and concern. 

Thus time moved along heavily, each moment passing 
like a duration of almost weeks, until the eventful time had 
arrived, and it was known to a certainty that Vicksburg 
had indeed surrendered. 

Having a few hours leisure this morning, prior to the 
arrival of the dispatch from General Pemberton, stating he 
was ready to surrender, I took occasion to visit General 
Grant, and found everybody about his head- quarters in a 
state of the liveliest satisfaction. It was evident the glo- 
rious events of the day were duly appreciated. 

"The general I found in conversation more animated 
than I have ever known him. He is evidently contented 



VIEWS OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 



309 



with the manner in which he has acquitted himself of the 
responsible task which has for more than five months 
engrossed his mind and his army. The consummation is 
one of which he may well be proud. From Bruinsburgto 
Vicksburg, nineteen days, presents one of the most active 
records of marches, actions, and victories of the war. All 
the combined operations of our armies, for a similar length 
of time, cannot equal it. It is unparalleled, the only cam- 
paign of the war which has involved celerity of movement, 
attack, victory, pursuit, and the annihilation of the enemy. 
But of this I have occasion to speak in another place, and 
will therefore drop it for the present. 

Among other things, the general signified his intention 
to enter into an immediate pursuit of the rebel Johnston. 
He was ready, as soon as he received Pemberton' s final 
reply, to order the troops under Sherman (then resting 
this side of the Big Black) across the river, while the con- 
tingent forces held at Haines' s and Snyder' s Bluffs were to 
follow, overtake and effect a junction with the other troops. 
This would create a force equal to all the possibilities of 
the campaign, and irretrievably wrest Southern Mississippi, 
with the towns of Jackson, Canton, and Meridian, from the 
possession of the enemy. Such action would restore a 
large territory to the Government, and weaken the enemy 
correspondingly by subtracting so much from his already 
limited resources. 

From General Grant I returned to the head- quarters of 
the Seventeenth (McPherson' s) Corps, and found the same 
prevailing good humor that I remarked everywhere else. 

The officers who received General Grant' s letter stated 
that it would be impossible to answer it by night, and it 
was not till a little before the peep of day that the pro- 
posed reply was furnished. Then a messenger arrived with 
a note from General Pemberton : — 

Head-Quabtbks, Vicksburg, July 3, 1863. 
Major-General Grant, commanding United States forces : 

General: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
munication of this date, proposing terms for the surrender of this garrison 
and post. In the main, your terms are accepted; but in justice, both to 
the honor and spirit of my troops, manifested in the defense of Vicksburg, 



310 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



I have the honor to submit the following amendments, which, if acceded to 
by you, will perfect the agreement between us. At ten o'clock to-morrow, 
I propose to evacuate the works in and around Vicksburg, and to surrender 
the city and garrison under my command, by inarching out with my colors 
and arms and stacking them in front of my present limits, after which you 
will take possession ; officers to retain their side-arms and personal pro- 
perty, and the rights and property of citizens to be respected. 
I am, general, yours, very respectfully, 

J. 0. Pemberton, Lieutenant-General. 

This was a proposal for the besieged to march out with 
the honors of Avar, only allowed to garrisons after a very 
obstinate and brave defense. It is entirely optional on the 
part of the victor to allow such a privilege, and many com- 
manders have entirely refused it. 

General Grant, with his accustomed magnanimity to the 
conquered, acquiesced in the request as follows : — 

Head-Quarters Department of Tennessee, I 
Before Vicksburg, July 4, 1SC3. » 

Lieutenant-General Pemberton, commanding forces in Vicksburg : 

General : — I have the honor to acknowledge your communication of 
the 3d of July. The amendments proposed by you cannot be acceded to in 
full. It will be necessary to furnish every officer and man with a parole 
signed by himself, which, with the completion of the rolls of prisoners, will 
necessarily take some time. Again, I can make no stipulation with regard 
to the treatment of citizens and their private property. While I do not 
propose to cause any of them any undue annoyance or loss, I cannot con- 
sent to leave myself under restraint by stipulations. The property which 
officers can be allowed to take with them will be as stated in the proposi- 
tion of last evening — that is, that officers will be allowed their private 
baggage and side-arms, and mounted officers one horse each. If you mean 
by your proposition for each brigade to march to the front of the lines now 
occupied by it, and stack their arms at ten o'clock a. m., and then return 
to the inside and remain as prisoners until properly paroled, I will make no 
objection to it. Should no modifications be made of your acceptance of my 
terms by nine o'clock a. m., I shall regard them as having been rejected, 
and act accordingly. Should these terms be accepted, white flags will be 
displayed along your lines, to prevent such of my troops as may not have 
been notified from firing on your men. 

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Major- General TJ. S. A. 



After a very short consultation with his general officers, 
the commandant of Vicksburg sent his answer : — 



SIGNALS OF CAPITULATION". 



311 



Head-Quakteks, Vicksbueg, July 4, 1SG3. 

Major- General U. S. Geant, commanding United States forces, &c. : 

Genebal : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
munication of this date, and, in reply, to say that the terms proposed by 
yon are accepted. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. 0. Pembeeton, Lieutenant-General. 

General Grant telegraphed to General McPlierson's 
head-quarters, with instructions that the Seventeenth Corps 
he ordered under arms immediately, to he in readiness to 
move instantly into the city, upon the receipt of orders to 
that effect. 

Shortly after the rehel works were surmounted by a large 
number of white flags along the entire lines, extending 
from right to left — the signals of surrender. Soon the ene- 
my marched out by regiments, on McPherson' s front, and 
stacked their arms and returned within, where they were 
paroled in a body, prior to the individual parole. 

The privilege allowed by General Grant to the enemy 
of stacking their arms outside of their fortifications some- 
what crowded matters, as the enemy was pressed for room 
to avoid trespassing beyond the small strip of unoccupied 
territory lying between the works of the two armies. 

In attendance upon the capitulation of the rebels, there 
were a number of line officers and privates of the Union 
army as lookers-on. ~No one had been delegated by Gen- 
eral Grant to superintend the matter, out of courtesy to the 
enemy, whose heroic defense had won them the admiration 
of both officers and men. The surrender was hardly known 
until some time after, owing to the quietness with which it 
was conducted. 



312 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAP TEE XVI. 

THE OCCUPATION OF VICKSBURG.— ORDER OF MARCH. 

The Occupation of the City. — The Value of the Possession. — Incidents. — The Ap- 
pearance of the Conquered. — The Dead. — Rebel Bill of Fare. — Grant and his 
Cigar. — Port Hudson hears the Tidings of Victory. — Correspondence between 
the hostile Commanders. — The Surrender of the Fortress. — General Grant's 
Report of the great Achievement. — The President's Congratulations. — One of 
his Anecdotes. 

The Fourth of July, 1863 ! forever memorable in the 
history of the United States and of its armies. On this day 
the glad tidings of victory at Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, 
was sounded throughout the land, and on this day the 
victorious "Army of Tennessee" took possession of the 
boasted stronghold of the rebels — u the Gibraltar of the 
Mississippi " — Vicksburg. 

It was about one o'clock, p. M., before matters had as- 
sumed such a stage of completion as would admit of the 
entrance of the city by our troops. A slight further deten- 
tion was also occasioned, awaiting the pioneer corps, thrown 
out in advance, to open a passage through the breastworks 
and across the ditches and rifle-pits of the enemy. After 
this was finished no further obstructions presented them- 
selves, and the column moved forward. The order of 
march was by a seniority of brigade commanders, with 
an exception in the case of the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, 
Colonel J. A. Maltby, which was specially ordered to lead 
the column, in consequence of heroic conduct during the 
siege and operations in the campaign against Yicksburg. 

The order of formation, in the march into the city, was 
as follows : — 

Major- General U. S. Grant and staff. 

Major-General J. B. McPherson and staff. 

Major- General J. A. Logan and staff. 

Brigadier- General M. D. Leggett, First Brigade, Third 
Division, led by the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 



VICTORIOUS ENTRY OF THE TROOPS. 



313 



Brigadier-General Z. C. G. Ransom, First Brigade, Sev- 
enth Division, temporarily assigned to Logan. 

Brigadier- General John Stevenson, Second Brigade, 
Third Division ; and with each brigade its batteries, bag- 
gage train, &c. 

The division of General John E. Smith, though part of 
the Seventeenth Army Corps, which was designated by 
General Grant to occupy the city, was held outside of the 
works as a kind of outer line of guards to prevent the 
escape of prisoners. 

After passing through several inner lines of the rifle- 
pits and breastworks, the column of occupation penetrated 
the suburbs of the city, and marched through its principal 
streets to the Court-House. As might be expected, from 
the long schooling the city had received under the influ- 
ence of the secession conspirators, no demonstrations of 
satisfaction at our arrival were made along the line of 
march ; but, on the contrary, houses were closed, the citi- 
zens within doors, and the city was wrapped in gloom. It 
seems as if the population anticipated their next step would 
be into the grave. Upon arriving at the Court-House, the 
troops were drawn up in line facing the building. This 
done, the ceremony of possession was completed by the 
display of the flags of the Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and 
of the head-quarters of the Seventeenth Corps, from the 
dome of the Court-House. 

Upon the appearance of the flags the troops cheered 
vociferously, making the city ring to its very suburbs with 
shouts of the votaries of liberty. It was an occasion which 
few ever have the opportunity of witnessing, and one 
which will secure a life-long remembrance in the minds of 
all present. 

In consideration of the active part taken by the Seven- < 
teenth Corps in the campaign which consummated in the 
capture of Vicksburg, that command was designated by 
General Grant to take possession of the city. General 
Logan's division occupied within the works, while General 
John E. Smith held the Union works without. General 
Mc Arthur continued with General Sherman's army in its 
operations against Johnston. 



314 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



In view of General Grant's plans, Major- General Mc- 
Pherson was appointed to the command of the new district 
about to "be formed, and having Vicksborg for its center. 

Major-General Logan commanded the city and its envi- 
rons. 

The Provost-Marshal's DexDartment was placed in charge 
of Lieutenant- Colonel James Wilson, provost-marshal of 
the corps — provost-guard, Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry. 

A number of subordinate officers had to be created to 
cany out the laborious and endless details which naturally 
occur in the administration of a city in population as large 
as the present. However, as initiatory measures, the above 
answered every purpose, and the workings of the plans 
were harmonious and effective. There were no disgraceful 
scenes of rapine, violence, or insult to note, nor had any 
thing occurred to compromise as a mass the soldiers of the 
Government. There were a few instances of battering down 
store doors to examine the contents of the establishments, 
but this was soon stopped, upon the inauguration of the 
provost-guard. One rather unaccountable fact was, the 
trouble the guard experienced in keeping down the rebel 
soldiery. The people feared the thieving proclivities of their 
own men even more than ours. It was not long, however, 
before the efficient guard patrolling the city had picked up 
all vagrant individuals, compelled them to disgorge, and 
then quietly consigned them to the peaceable retirement of 
the guard-house, to await their trial before his worship, the 
provost-marshal. The aforesaid establishment is already 
quite populous with miscreant secesh, and a slight sprink- 
ling of our own unfortunates. While they are amongst us 
they must expect to be obliged to conduct themselves like 
soldiers, and obey the newly inaugurated authority now 
ruling and insuring order and security to the inhabitants 
and property within the city. The quiet which now pre- 
vails everywhere is astonishing, and reflects great credit 
upon the abilities and judgment of those at the head of 
affairs. 

After the surrender of the city was officially known to 
the transportation officers in charge of steamboats at Chick- 
asaw Bayou, there was a general, mixed, and laughable 



THE ARRIVAL OF THE FLEET. 



315 



stampede of boats out of the Yazoo and down the Missis- 
sippi for the levee of Vicksburg. The John II. GroesbecJc, 
being the office-boat of the chief of transportation, appro- 
priated the advance of the Yazoo River batch. 

The transports, however, were not the first to arrive be- 
fore the city, for the Neptune, of the Mississippi was on the 
alert, and impatiently awaited the course of events, under 
full steam. ~No sooner was the flag thrown to the breeze 
from the Court -House than the admiral's glass caught sight 
of its beautiful folds, and in due time his vessel steamed 
down to the city, followed by all the gunboats in the 
neighborhood, and took possession of a few feet of river 
front. 

In less than four hours after the city had capitulated, 
the levees were lined with steamers as far as the eye could 
reach. At least seventy-five had arrived up to that time, 
and more were coming in hourly. All the boats from be- 
low, as well as those from above, were there to swell the 
number. The city had the appearance of a great inland 
commercial metropolis. The levees were almost instanta- 
neously covered with a busy, moving crowd of humanity, 
pushing hither and thither, as if they were old residents, 
and the city had not experienced the interregnum of inter- 
course with the outer world, which had been her fate for 
nearly two years. Many of the boats had already com- 
menced to discharge their cargoes, which, of course, occa- 
sioned a lively activity on shore, while teams and men 
were busily engaged in hauling the different stores to their 
respective destinations. 

It may be said that Vicksburg is once more a living 
city. Reclaimed from her late oppressors, she is free to 
share with her sister cities the numerous opportunities 
which have been restored to them by the reinstated 
authority of our great, and glorious, and ever to be per- 
petuated Republic. 

The value of the reduction of Vicksburg was not only 
great in a moral, political, and strategical point of view ; 
but it possessed still further importance by inflicting a 
severe loss upon the rebels, in both men and material. 

The following is a rough estimate of the number of 



316 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



officers, soldiers, and ordnance, which fell into the hands 
of the United States authorities with the city of Vicks- 
"burg : — 

One lieutenant-general, John C. Pemberton, late com- 
mandant of the army for the defense of Vicksburg. 

Nineteen major and brigadier-generals, as follows : 
Major- General Bowen, Major-General Martin L. Smith, 
and Major-General Forney ; Brigadier- Generals Barton, 
Cochran, Lee, Vaughn, Reynolds, Baldwin, Harris, Tay- 
lor, Cummings, Stevenson, of Georgia, Hebart, Wall, of 
Texas, commanding Texan Legion, Moore, Schoep, Bu- 
ford, and Cockerell. 

Over four thousand field, line, and staff officers. 

About twenty-three thousand effective men, non-com- 
missioned officers and privates, and over six thousand 
men in hospital. 

Ninety siege-guns. 

One hundred and twenty-eight field-pieces. 

Thirty-five thousand (approximately) muskets and 
rifles, principally Enfield, and in excellent order. 

Powder and shell, for ordnance of different calibre, in 
abundance. 

A large quantity of miscellaneous matter, such as wag- 
ons, a few animals, armorers' tools, machinery, &c. 

Among the military establishments taken possession 
of, were the arsenal, well supplied with unused rifles, and 
the foundry, with all conveniences for casting shot, shell, 
and cannon, and capable of doing a great deal of other 
work of a similar character, such as casting. 

The troops taken prisoners were mainly composed of 
Mississippians, called "the State troops," Georgians, 
Alabamians, Louisianians, Missourians, and regulars. 

General Grant, in his official report, sums up the Union 
losses, during the series of battles of the Vicksburg cam- 
paign, as follows : — 





Killed. 


"Wounded. 


Missing. 


Total 






718 


5 


853 


Fourteen-Mile Creek (skirmish) . 


. 4 


24 




28 






341 


32 


442 






240 


6 


286 



TROPHIES— PEMBERTOff AND VICKSBURG. 317 



Champion's Hill 

Big Black Railroad Bridge, 
Vickshurg 



Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total. 

426 1,842 189 2,457 

. 29 242 2 273 

,245 3,688 303 4,230 



Grand total 



943 7,095 537 8,575 



Nearly one-half of the wounded returned to duty within a month. 

GEXERAL RECAPITULATION. 

Rebel losses in killed, wounded, stragglers, and prisoners 46,420 

Union losses in killed, wounded, stragglers, and prisoners. . . . 8,575 



One who was there, wrote : — 

"Pemberton was, of course, the chief attraction. He 
is. in appearance, a tall, lithe-built, and stately personage. 
Black hair, black eyes, full beard, and rather severe if 
not sinister expression of countenance, as of one who had 
great trials of the soul to endure." 

This general was a Philadelphian, but married a 
Southern lady, and so became a Secessionist. The same 
observer adds : — 

"The greatest curiosities are the caves hewn into the 
banks of earth, in which the women and children and 
non-combatants crept during the heat of the bombard- 
ment. At night, and sometimes during an entire day, the 
whole of these people would be confined to their caverns. 
They are constructed about the height of a man, and 
three feet wide, a fork V shaped into the bank. There 
are, perhaps, five hundred of these caves in the city, 
around the works. As many as fifteen have been 
crowded into one of them." 

A highly cultivated and Christian lady, who lived in 
one of these caves, with no words of bitterness, has given 
a very interesting account of her captivity. They were 
dug, at first, with their mouths, or doors, opening toward 
the rear of the city, and away from the gunboats. And 
when General Grant so arranged his batteries that the 
shells came from that side, often they exploded right in 
the caves. One day, near her, a shell went crushing 
through the roof of a neighbor's cell, and tore in frag- 



Balance in Grant's favor 



37,845 



318 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ments her sleeping babe. What an awful life of sus- 
pense ! Even the moonlight evening, "bathing rampart, 
deserted mansion, and cave, with soothing radiance, was 
no protection. She saw a scene, after Burbridge's charge, 
which she thought looked, after all, as if the millennium 
might be near. A wounded Confederate was lying nearer 
to our troops than his own. He looked and begged for 
water. The air was full of death' s missiles. But a noble 
Union soldier stepped forward, and, taking his canteen, 
went to the sufferer, and, while he fanned him, gave him 
the cooling draught. 

It was a touching scene. A little of heaven's pure 
light athwart the sulphurous gloom of war ! 

The spectacle of the first surrender of a great army to 
a Union general, after the civil conflict began, was very 
impressive, and thrilled, with quiet delight, each loyal 
beholder. 

As melancholy a sight as ever man witnessed : for 
brave men conquered and humbled, no matter how vile 
the cause for which they fight, present always a sorrowful 
spectacle ; and these foes of ours, traitors and enemies of 
liberty and civilization though the}" be, are brave, as 
many a hard-fought field can well attest. They marched 
out of their intrenchments, by regiments, upon the grassy 
declivity immediately outside their fort ; they stacked 
their arms, hung their colors upon the center, laid off 
their knapsacks, belts, cartridge-boxes, and cap-pouches ; 
and thus shorn of the accouterments of the soldier, re- 
turned inside their works, and thence down the Jackson 
road into the city. The men went through the ceremony 
with that downcast look so touching on a soldier' s face ; 
not a word was spoken ; there was none of that gay badi- 
nage we are so much accustomed to hear from the ranks 
of regiments marching through our streets ; the few words 
of command necessary were given by their own officers in 
that low tone of voice we hear used at funerals. Generals 
McPherson, Logan, and Forney, attended by their respec- 
tive staffs, stood on the rebel breastworks overlooking the 
scene never before witnessed on this continent. The rebel 
troops, as to clothing, presented that varied appearance so 



STACKING ARMS. — THE CONQUERED. 



319 



familiar in the North from seeing prisoners, and were from 
Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Mis- 
souri ; the arms were mostly muskets and rifles of superior 
excellence, and I saw but very few shot-guns, or indis- 
criminate weapons of any kind. It was plain that Fem- 
berton had a splendidly appointed army. Their flags 
were of a kind new to me — all I saw being cut in about the 
same dimensions as our regimental colors, all of the single 
color red, with a white cross in the center. 

The ceremony of stacking arms occupied little over 
an hour upon that part of the lines ; and when it was con- 
cluded, the glittering cavalcade of officers, Federal and 
rebel, mounted and swept cityward on the full gallop, 
through such clouds of dust as I hope never to ride 
through again. A few minutes, fortunately, brought us 
to a halt at a house on the extreme outskirts of the city, 
built of stone in the Southern fashion, with low roof and 
wide verandas, and almost hidden from view in an ex- 
uberance of tropical trees, and known as Forney's head- 
quarters. 

And here were gathered all the notables of both 
armies. In a damask-cushioned arm rocking-chair sat 
Lieutenant- General Pemberton, the most discontented-look- 
ing man I ever saw. Presently there appeared in the 
midst of the throng a man small in stature, heavily set, 
stoop-shouldered, a broad face, covered with a short, 
sandy beard, habited in a plain suit of blue flannel, with 
the two stars upon his shoulders, denoting a Major- Gen- 
eral in the United States Army. He approached Pem- 
berton and entered into conversation with him ; there was 
no vacant chair near, but neither Pemberton nor any of 
his generals offered him a seat, and thus for rive minutes 
the conqueror stood talking to the vanquished seated, 
when Grant turned away into the house and left Pem- 
berton alone with his pride or his grief — it was hard to 
tell which. Grant has the most impassive of faces, and 
seldom, if ever, are his feelings photographed upon his 
countenance ; but there was then, as he contemplated the 
result of his labors, the faintest possible trace of inward 
satisfaction peering out of his cold, gray eyes. All this 



320 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



occupied less time than this recital of it, and meantime 
officers of both armies were commingled, conversing as 
sociably as if 'they had not been aiming at each other's 
lives a few hours before. Generals McPherson and Logan 
now turned back toward our camps to bring in the latter' s 
division, and a party specially detailed galloped cityward, 
about a mile distant, for the purpose of hoisting the flag 
over the Court-House. 

From the living we turn to the dead of Vicksburg : — 
They lay in all positions ; some with musket grasped 
as though yet contending ; others with the cartridge in the 
fingers just ready to put the deadly charge where it might 
meet the foe. All ferocity had gone. Noble patriots ! 
uninhabited tenements ! ye rest here now in security ! 
Your portals whence the spirits fled are as calm and pale 
as moonlight upon snow— as though no sweet love had 
ever woven for ye myrtle wreaths, nor death draped your 
hearts in ivy — as though mirth had never smiled nor 
sorrow wept where all is now silent. War, with its 
dangers, earth with its perplexities, neglect and poverty 
with their pangs, slander with its barb, the dear heart- 
broken ones at home— all fail to call ye back to strife. A 
dark and fearful shadow has crept over the land and 
gathered ye in its gloom. O the tears that will be shed ! 
O the hearths that will be desolated ! Eyes will look in 
vain for your return to the hearths that ye once gladdened, 
while Fame crowns ye with its laurels, and the land of the 
hereafter welcomes ye as "they who saved the land." 

A remarkably sweet and youthful face was that of a 
rebel boy. Scarce eighteen, and as fair as a maiden, with 
quite small hands, long hair of the pale golden hue that 
auburn changes to when much in the sun, and curling at 
the ends. He had on a shirt of coarse white cotton, and 
brown pants, well worn ; while upon his feet were a 
woman's shoes of about the size known as 'fours.' Too 
delicate was his frame for war; perchance some mother's 
idol. His left side was torn by a shell, and his left 
shoulder shattered. Poor, misguided boy ! Hyacinth was 
scarce more delicately beautiful than he. Mayhap he had 
Ms Apollo too. 



REBEL BILL OF FARE. 



321 



Two men who had caught at a fig-tree to assist them 
up a steep embankment lay dead at its feet, slain in all 
probability by an enfilade fire from their right ; the branch 
at which they caught was still in their grasp. Some could 
not be recognized by their nearest friends. Several were 
headless — others were armless ; but the manner of their 
death was always plain. The Minie left its large, rather 
clear hole ; the shell its horrid rent ; the shrapnel and 
grape their clear great gashes, as though one had thrust a 
giant's spear through the tender, quivering flesh. 

This is the work of treason ! This it is to unroof the 
temple of law and order, and let loose the demon of dis- 
cord. A people more than prosperous have fallen upon 
evil times. Murder, arson, theft, all kinds of injustice, 
follow in the footsteps of war. Nor is the end yet. 
When shall spears and swords be beaten into plough- 
shares and priming-hooks ? ' How long, Lord V 

In contrast with the tragical scenes of the triumph, we 
have a comic exhibition of the very destitution of the 
enemy : — 

REBEL BILL OF FARE. 

J. H. Early, Surgeon of the Seventeenth Iowa regiment, 
found the following copy of a bill of fare in the rebel camps 
at Vicksburg. It is a burlesque upon the rebel rations 
of mule flesh indulged in by them during the last day of 
the siege : — 

HOTEL BE VICKSBURG. 

Bill of Fare for July, 1863. 
SOUP. 

Mule Tail. 

BOILED. 

Mule bacon with poke greens. 
Mule ham canvased. 

ROAST. 

Mule sirloin. 

Mule rump, stuffed with rice. 

21 



322 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

VEGETABLES. 

Peas and rice. 

&c, &c, &c. 
* # * * * * * * * U 

DESSERT. 

White oak acorns. 
Beech-nuts. 
Blackberry-leaf tea. 
Genuine Confederate Coffee. 

LIQUORS. 

Mississippi water, vintage of 1492, superior, . . $3.00 
Limestone water, late importation, very fine, . . 2.75 

Spring water, Vicksburg brand, ; 1.50 

Meals at all hours. Gentlemen to wait on them- 
selves. Any inattention on the part of ser- 
vants will be promptly reported at the office. 

Jeff. Davis & Co., Proprietors. 

Card. — The proprietors of the justly celebrated Hotel de 
Vicksburg, having enlarged and refitted the same, are now 
prepared to accommodate all who ma}^ favor them with a 
call. Parties arriving by the river, or Grant' s inland route, 
will find Grape, Canister & Co.'s carriages at the landing, 
or any depot on the line of entrenchments. Buck, Ball & 
Co. take charge of all baggage. No effort will be spared 
to make the visit of all as interesting as possible. 

General Grant entered Vicksburg with a cigar in his 
mouth ; a thing so entirely characteristic, the absence of it 
would have been unnatural. Upon this evidence of cool- 
ness and illustration of the power of habit, a newspaper of 
strong Southern proclivities remarked as follows : — 

" We pardon General Grant's smoking a cigar as he en- 
tered the-^mouldering ruins of the town of Vicksburg. 
A little stage effect is admissible in great captains, consid- 
ering that Napoleon at Milan wore the little cocked hat and 
sword of Marengo, and that snuff was the inevitable con- 
comitant of victory in the great Frederick. General Grant 
is a noble fellow, and, by the terms of capitulation he ac- 
corded to the heroic garrison, showed himself as generous 



GE3STEEAL GRANT IX YICKSBURG. 



323 



as Napoleon was to W urmser at the surrender of Mantua. 
His deed will read well in history, and lie lias secured to 
himself a name which posterity will pronounce with vene- 
ration and gratitude. There is no general in this country 
or in Europe that has done harder work than General 
Grant, and none that has better graced his victories "by the 
exercise of humanity and virtue. What we learn of the 
terms of capitulation is sufficient to prove General Grant 
to he a generous soldier and a man. A truly brave man 
respects bravery in others, and when the sword is sheathed 
considers himself free to follow the dictates of humanity. 
General Grant is not a general who marks his progress by 
proclamations to frighten unarmed men, women, and chil- 
dren ; he fulminates no arbitrary edicts against the press ; 
he does not make war on newspapers and their correspond- 
ents ; he flatters no one to get himself puffed ; but he is 
terrible in arms and magnanimous after the battle. Go on, 
brave General Grant ; pursue the course you have marked 
out for yourself, and Clio, the pensive muse, as she records 
your deeds, will rejoice at her manly theme." 

Among the results of the fall of Yicksburg is one that 
must not be overlooked — Port Hudson. As soon as the 
garrison had surrendered, General Grant notified General 
Banks of the fact, and that officer at once imparted the 
glorious intelligence to his command. Like lightning the 
welcome news flew along the line, and the Union pickets 
joyously informed the rebel sentinels that their boasted 
stronghold had fallen. 

The morning sun of July 7th flooded the Father of 
Waters, whose naval leviathans roared upon the tide. 
Peal after peal reverberated along the green shores. The 
rebel garrison of Port Hudson, whose guns are silent, won- 
der at the sound, the interludes of which were cheers of 
wildest rejoicing. They listen all day, and, as the evening 
approaches, their curiosity could endure the strange demon- 
stration no longer. At one of the points, where the armies 
were within speaking distance, a rebel officer called out : — 

" What are you making all that noise about ?" 

Union officer. " We have taken Yicksburg." 

Rebel. "Don't believe it." 



324 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Union officer. "What will convince yon?" 

Rebel. ' ' Nothing but a copy of the dispatch, or some 
reliable authority." 

Union officer. "Well, I'll get a copy, and pass it over 
the parapet." 

Rebel. " If you'll do that, and vouch for its genuineness 
on your honor as a gentleman and a soldier, I'll believe it." 

The Union man soon furnished the evidence required, 
copied in his own hand. 

The rebel took it, and read it, saying: — 

"I am satisfied. It is useless for us to hold out any 
longer." 

Meanwhile, General Grant had managed to have a mes- 
sage to General Banks intercepted by the enemy, conveying 
the same intelligence. General Frank Gardner sent to the 
latter to know if it were true that Vicksburg had surren- 
dered. When assured it was, he sent the only message he 
would have been permitted to transmit : — 

Head-Quarters, Port Hudson, La., July 7, 1S63. 
General : — Having received information from your troops that Vicks- 
burg has been surrendered, I make this communication to ask you to give 
me the official assurance whether this is true or not, and if true, I ask for a 
cessation of hostilities, with a view to the consideration of terms for surren- 
dering this position 

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Frank Gardner, 
Major-General commanding Confederate States forces. 
To Major- General Banks, commanding IJ. S. forces near Port Hudson. 

General Banks, early the next morning, replied as fol- 
lows : — 

Head-Quarters Department of the Gulf, ) 
Before Port Hudson, July S, 1SG3. > 

General: — In reply to your communication, dated the 7th instant, by 
flag of truce received a few moments since, I have the honor to inform you 
that I received yesterday morning, July 7th, at forty-five minutes past ten 
o'clock, by the gunboat General Price, an official dispatch from Major-Gen- 
eral Ulysses S. Grant, United States Army, whereof the following is a true 
extract : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of tdte Tennessee, ) 
Near Vicksburg, July 4, 18G3. f 

Major-General N. P. Banks, commanding Department of the Gulf : 

General : — The garrison of Vicksburg surrendered this morning. The 



SUEKEisDEE OF PORT HUDSON. 



325 



number of prisoners, as given by the officers, is twenty-seven thousand ; 
field artillery, one hundred and twenty-eight pieces ; and a large number 
of siege-guns, probably not less than eighty. 

Your obedient servant, U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

I regret to say that, under present circumstances, I cannot, consistently 
with my duty, consent to a cessation of hostilities for the purpose you in- 
dicate. 

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. P. Banks, Major- General Commanding. 
To Major-General Feank Gaednee, commanding Confederate States 
forces, Port Hudson. 

The unwelcome news was all that was wanting to de- 
cide the fate of Port Hudson. In fact, after Vicksburg 
had capitulated, Port Hudson was untenable. 

The rebel commandant, therefore, immediately dis- 
patched the following communication to General Banks : — - 

Port Hudson, July 8, 1863. 

Geneeal : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
munication of this date, giving a copy of an official communication from 
Major-General U. S. Grant, United States Army, announcing the surrender 
of the garrison of Vicksburg. 

Having defended this position as long as I deem my duty requires, I am 
willing to surrender to you, and will appoint a commission of three officers ' 
to meet a similiar commission appointed by yourself, at nine o'clock this 
morning, for the purpose of agreeing upon and drawing up the terms of 
surrender, and for that purpose I ask a cessation of hostilities. Will you 
please designate a place outside of my breastworks where the meeting shall 
be held for this purpose ? 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Feank Gaednee, commanding Confederate States forces. 

To Major-General Banks, commanding United States forces. 

General Banks replied at once in the following lan- 
guage :— 

Head-Qttaeters United States Forces, I 
Before Port Hudson, July 8, 1SG3. > 

Geneeal : — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- 
munication of this date, stating that you are willing to surrender the 
garrison under your command to the forces under my command, and that 
you will appoint a commission of three officers to meet a similar commission 
appointed by me, at nine o'clock this morning, for the purpose of agreeing 
upon and drawing up the terms of surrender. 

In reply I have the honor to state, that I have designated Brigadier- 



326 LIFE A3TD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



General Charles P. Stone, Colonel Henry W. Birge, and Lieutenant- Colonel 
Richard B. Irwin, as the officers to meet the commission appointed by yon. 

They will meet your officers, at the hour designated, at a point where 
the flag of truce was received this morning. I will direct that active hos- 
tilities shall entirely cease on my part, until further notice, for the purpose 
stated. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

1ST. P. Bakes, Major-General commanding. 
To Major- General Feakk Gaednes, commanding Confederate States 
forces, Port Hudson. 

The following announces the result of the surrender : — ■ 

Head-Quarters Department of the Gulf, 1 
Nineteenth Army Corps, Port Hudson, July 10, 1S63. > 

To General H. W. Halleck : 

Sie : — I have the honor to inform you that, with this post, there fell 
into our hands over five thousand five hundred prisoners, including one 
major-general and one brigadier-general ; twenty pieces of heavy artillery, 
five complete batteries, numbering thirty-one pieces of field artillery ; a good 
supply of projectiles for light and heavy guns, forty-four thousand eight 
hundred pounds of caunon-powder, five thousand stand of arms, and one 
hundred and fifty thousand rounds of small-arm ammunition, besides a small 
amount of stores of various kinds. We captured, also, two steamers, one 
of which is very valuable. They will be of great service at this time. 

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. P. Bakes, Major-General commanding. 

The report of General Grant contains a full and clear 
account of his great achievement :— 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 6, 1S63. f 

Colonel:— -I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
operations of the Army of the Tennessee and co-operating forces, from the 
date of my assuming the immediate command of the expedition against 
Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the reduction of that place. 

From the moment of taking command in person, I became satisfied that 
Vicksburg could only be turned from the south side, and, in accordance 
with this conviction, I prosecuted the work on the canal, which had been 
located by Brigadier-General Williams, across the peninsula on the Louisi- 
ana side of the river, with all vigor, hoping to make a channel which would 
pass transports for moving the army and carrying supplies to the new base 
of operations thus provided. The task was much more herculean than it at 
first appeared, and was made much more so by the almost continuous rains 
that fell during the whole of the time this work was prosecuted. The river, 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



327 



too, continued to rise and make a large expenditure of labor necessary to 
keep the water out of our camps and the canal. 

Finally, on the 8th of March, the rapid rise of the river and the con- 
sequent great pressure upon the dam across the canal, near the upper end, 
at the main Mississippi levee, caused it to give way and let through the low 
lands back of our camps a torrent of water that separated the north and 
south shores of the peninsula as effectually as if the Mississippi flowed 
between them. This occurred when the enterprise promised success within 
a short time. There was some delay in trying to repair damages. It was 
found, however, that with the then stage of water some other plan would 
have to be adopted for getting below Vicksburg with transports. 

Captain F. E. Prime, Chief Engineer, and Colonel G. G. Pride, who was 
acting on my staff, prospected a route through the bayous which run from 
near Milliken's Bend on the north and New Carthage on the south through 
Roundaway Bayou into the Tansas River. Their report of the practicability 
of this route determined me to commence work upon it. Having three 
dredge-boats at the time, the work of opening this route was executed with 
great rapidity. One small steamer and a number of barges were taken 
through the channel thus opened, but the river commencing, about the 
middle of April, to fall rapidly, and the roads becoming passable between 
Milliken's Bend and New Carthage, made it impracticable and unnecessary 
to open water communication between these points. 

Soon after commencing the first canal spoken of, I caused a channel to 
be cut from the Mississippi River into Lake Providence ; also one from the 
Mississippi River into Coldwater, by way of Yazoo Pass. 

I had no great expectations of important results from the former of 
these, but having more troops than could be employed to advantage at 
Young's Point, and knowing that Lake Providence was connected by Bayou 
Baxter with Bayou Macon, a navigable stream through which transports 
might pass into the Mississippi below, through Tansas, Wachita, and Red 
Rivers, I thought it possible that a route might be opened in that direction 
which would enable me to co-operate with General Banks at Port Hudson. 

By the Yazoo Pass route I only expected at first to get into the Yazoo 
by way of Coldwater and Tallahatchie with some lighter gunboats and a 
few troops, and destroy the enemy's transports in that stream and some 
gunboats which I knew he was building. The navigation, however, 
proved so much better than had been expected, that I thought for a time 
of the possibility of making this the route for obtaining the foothold on 
high land above Haines's Bluff, Mississippi, and small-class steamers were 
accordingly ordered for transporting an army that way. Major-General J. 
B. McPherson, commanding Seventeenth Army Corps, was directed to 
hold his corps in readiness to move by this route; and one division from 
each the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Corps were collected near the entrance 
of the Pass to be added to his command. It soon became evident that a 
sufficient number of boats of the right class could not be obtained for the 
movement of more than one division. 

Whilst my forces were opening one end of the Pass, the enemy was 



328 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



diligently closing the other end, and in this way succeeded in gaining time 
to strongly fortify Greenwood, below the junction of the Tallahatchie and 
fallobusha. The advance of the expedition, consisting of one division of 
McOlernand's corps from Helena, commanded by Brigadier-General L. F. 
Eoss, and the Twelfth and Seventeenth Regiments Missouri Infantry, from 
Sherman's corps, as sharpshooters on the gunboats, succeeded in reaching 
Cold water on the 2d day of March, after much difficulty, and the partial 
disabling of most of the boats. From the entrance into Coldwater to Fort 
Pemberton, at Greenwood, Mississippi, no great difficulty of navigation was 
experienced, nor any interruption of magnitude from the enemy. Fort 
Pemberton extends from the Tallahatchie to the Yazoo at Greenwood. 
Here the two rivers come within a few hundred yards of each other. The 
land around the fort is low, and at the time of the attack was entirely over- 
flowed. Owing to this fact, no movement could be made by the army to 
reduce it, but all depended upon the ability of the gunboats to silence the 
guns of the enemy and enable the transports to run down and land troops 
immediately on the fort itself. After an engagement of several hours, the 
gunboats drew off, being unable to silence the batteries. Brigadier-General 
J. F. Quimby, commanding a division of McPherson's corps, met the expedi- 
tion under Ross with his division on its return near Fort Pemberton, on the 
21st of March, and, being the senior, assumed command of the entire ex- 
pedition, and returned to the position Ross had occupied. 

On the 23d day of March I sent orders for the withdrawal of all the 
forces operating in that direction, for the purpose of concentrating my army 
at Milliken's Bend. 

On the 14th day of March, Admiral D. D. Porter, commanding Mis- 
sissippi Squadron, informed me that he had made a reconnoissance up 
Steele's Bayou, and partially through Black Bayou toward Deer Creek, and 
so far as explored these water courses were reported navigable for the 
smaller iron-clads. Information, given mostly, I believe, by the negroes of 
the country, was to the effect that Deer Creek could be navigated to Roll- 
ing Fork, and that from there, through the Sunflower to the Yazoo River, 
there was no question about the navigation. On the following morning 
I accompanied Admiral Porter in the ram Price — seven iron-clads pre- 
ceding us — up through Steele's Bayou to near Black Bayou. 

At this time our forces were at a dead-lock at Greenwood, and I looked 
upon the success of this enterprise as of vast importance. It would, if 
successful, leave Greenwood between two forces of ours, and would neces- 
sarily cause the immediate abandonment of that stronghold. 

About thirty steamers of the enemy would have been destroyed or fallen 
into our hands. Seeing that the great obstacle to navigation, so far as I 
had gone, was from overhanging trees, I left Admiral Porter near Black 
Bayou and pushed back to Young's Point for the purpose of sending for- 
ward a pioneer corps to remove these difficulties. Soon after my return to 
Young's Point, Admiral Porter sent back to me for a co-operating military 
force. Sherman was promptly sent with one division of his corps. The 
number of steamers suitable for the navigation of these bayous being limited, 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



329 



most of the force was sent up the Mississippi River to Eagle's Bend, a point 
where the river runs within one mile of Steele's Bayou, thus saving an 
important part of this difficult navigation. The expedition failed, probably 
more from want of knowledge as to what would be required to open this 
route than from any impracticability in the navigation of the streams and 
bayous through which it was proposed to pass. Want of this knowledge 
led the expedition on until difficulties were encountered, and then it would 
become necessary to send back to Young's Point for the means of removing 
them. This gave the enemy time to move forces to effectually checkmate 
further progress, and the expedition was withdrawn when within a few 
hundred yards of free and open navigation to the Yazoo. 

All this may have been providential in driving us ultimately to a line of 
operations which has proven eminently successful. 

For further particulars of the Steele's Bayou expedition, see report of 
Major-General W. T. Sherman, forwarded on the 12th of April. 

As soon as I decided to open water communication from a point on the 
Mississippi near Milliken's Bend to New Carthage, I determined to occupy 
the latter place, it being the first point below Vicksburg that could be 
reached by land at the stage of water then existing, and the occupancy 
of which, while it secured to us a point on the Mississippi River, would also 
protect the main line of communication by water. Accordingly, the 
Thirteenth Army Corps, Major-General J. A. McClernand commanding, 
was directed to take up its line of march on the 29th day of March for 
New Carthage, the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps to follow, moving no 
faster than supplies and ammunition could be transported to them. 

The roads, though level, were intolerably bad, and the movement was 
therefore necessarily slow. Arriving at Smith's plantation, two miles from 
New Carthage, it was found that the levee of Bayou Vidal was broken in 
several places, thus leaving New Carthage an island. 

All the boats that could be were collected from the different bayous in 
the vicinity, and others were built, but the transportation of an army in 
this way was found exceedingly tedious. Another route had to be found. 
This was done by making a further march around Vidal to Perkins's plant- 
ation, a distance of twelve miles more, making the whole distance to be 
marched from Milliken's Bend, to reach water communication on the oppo- 
site side of the point, thirty-five miles. Over this distance, with bad roads 
to contend against, supplies of ordnance stores and provisions had to be 
hauled by wagons, with which to commence the campaign on the opposite 
side of the river. 

At the same time that I ordered the occupation of New Carthage, pre- 
parations were made for running transports by the Vicksburg batteries 
with Admiral Porter's gunboat fleet. 

On the night of the 16th of April, Admiral Porter's fleet and the trans- 
ports Silver Wave, Forest Queen, and Henry Clay ran the Vicksburg 
batteries. The boilers of the transports were protected as well as possible 
with hay and cotton. More or less commissary stores were put on each. 
All three of these boats were struck more or less frequently while passing 



330 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the enemy's batteries, and the Henry Clay, by the explosion of a shell or 
by other means, was set on fire and entirely consumed. The other two 
boats were somewhat injured, but not seriously disabled. No one on board 
of either was hurt. 

As these boats succeeded in getting by so well, I ordered six more to be 
prepared in like manner for running the batteries. These latter, viz. : 
Tigress, Anglo-Saxon, Cheeseman, Umpire City, Horizona, and Moderator, 
left Milliken's Bend on the night of the 22d of April, and five of them got 
by, but in a somewhat damaged condition. The Tigress received a shot in 
her hull below the water line, and sunk on the Louisiana shore soon after 
passing the last of the batteries. The crews of these steamers, with the ex- 
ception of that of the Forest Queen, Captain D. Conway, and the Silver 
Wave, Captain McMillen, were composed of volunteers from the army. 
Upon the call for volunteers for this dangerous enterprise, officers and men 
presented themselves by hundreds, anxious to undertake the trip. The 
names of those whose services were accepted will be given in a separate 
report. 

It is a striking feature, so far as my observation goes, of the present vol- 
unteer army of the United States, that there is nothing which men are called 
upon to do, mechanical or professional, that accomplished adepts cannot be 
found for the duty required in almost every regiment. 

The transports injured in running the blockade were repaired by order 
of Admiral Porter, who was supplied with the material for such repairs a3 
they required, and who w 7 as and is ever ready to afford all the assistance 
in his power for the furtherance of the success of our arms. In a very short 
time five of the transports were in running order, and the remainder were 
in condition to be used as barges in the moving of troops. Twelve barges 
loaded with forage and rations were sent in tow of the last six boats that 
run the blockade ; one-half of them got through in a condition to be used. 

Owing to the limited number of transports below Vicksburg, it was 
found necessary to extend our line of land travel to Hard Times, Louisiana, 
which, by the circuitous route it was necessary to take, increased the dis- 
tance to about seventy miles to Milliken's Bend, our starting point. 

The Thirteenth Army Corps being all through to the Mississippi, and the 
Seventeenth Army Corps well on the way, so many of the Thirteenth as 
could be got on board the transports and barges were put aboard and 
moved to the front of Grand Gulf on the 29th of April. The plan here was 
that the navy should silence the guns of the enemy, and the troops land 
under cover of the gunboats and carry the place by storm. 

At eight o'clock a. m. the navy made the attack, and kept it up for more 
than five hours in the most gallant manner. From a tug out in the stream 
I witnessed the whole engagement. Many times it seemed to me the gun- 
boats were within pistol shot of the enemy's batteries. It soon became 
evident that the guns of the enemy were too elevated and their fortifications 
too strong to be taken from the water side. The whole range of hills on 
that side w<as known to be lined with rifle-pits, besides, the field artillery 
could be moved to any position where it could be made useful in case of 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



331 



an attempt at landing. This determined me to run again the enemy's bat- 
teries, turn his position by effecting a landing at Rodney, or at Bruinsburg, 
between Grand Gulf and Rodney. Accordingly, orders were immediately 
given for the troops to debark at Hard Times, Louisiana, and march across 
to the point immediately below Grand Gulf. At dark the gunboats again en- 
gaged the batteries, and all the transports ran by, receiving but two or three 
shots in the passage, and these without injury. I had some time previously 
ordered a reconnoissance to a point opposite Bruinsburg, to ascertain if 
possible from persons in the neighborhood the character of the road leading 
to the highlands back of Bruinsburg. During the night I learned from a 
negro man that there was a good road from Bruinsburg to Port Gibson, 
which determined me to land there. 

The work of ferrying the troops to Bruinsburg was commenced at day- 
light in the morning, the gunboats as well as transports being used for the 
purpose. 

As soon as the Thirteenth Army Corps was landed, and could draw 
three days' rations to put in haversacks (no wagons were allowed to cross 
until the troops were all over), they were started on the road to Port Gib- 
son. I deemed it a matter of vast importance that the highlands should be 
reached without resistance. 

The Seventeenth Corps followed as rapidly as it could be put across the 
river. 

About two o'clock on the 1st of May the advance of the enemy was met 
eight miles from Bruinsburg, on the road to Port Gibson. He was forced 
to fall back, but, as it was dark, he was not pursued far until daylight. 
Early on the morning of the 1st I went out, accompanied by members of 
my staff, and found McClernand with his corps engaging the enemy 
about four miles from Port Gibson. At this point the roads branched in 
exactly opposite directions, both, however, leading to Port Gibson. The 
enemy had taken position on both branches, thus dividing, as he fell back, 
the pursuing forces. The nature of the ground in that part of the country 
is such that a very small force could retard the progress of a much larger 
one for many hours. The roads usually run on narrow, elevated ridges, 
with deep and impenetrable ravines on either side. Or the right were the 
divisions of Hovey, Carr, and Smith, and on the left the division of Oster- 
haus, of McClernand's corps. The three former succeeded in driving the 
enemy from position to position back toward Port Gibson steadily all day. 

Osterhaus did not, however, move the enemy from the position occupied 
by him on our left until Logan's division, of McPherson's corps, arrived. 

McClernand, who was with the right in person, sent repeated messages 
to me before the arrival of Logan, to send Logan's and Quimby's divisions, 
of McPherson's corps, to him. 

I had been on that as well as all other parts of the field, and could not 
see how they could be used there to advantage. However, as soon as the 
advance of McPherson's corps (Logan's division) arrived, I sent one brig- 
ade to McClernand on the right, and sent one brigade, Brigadier-General 
J. E. Smith commanding, to the left to the assistance of Osterhaus. 



332 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



By the judicious disposition made of tins brigade, under the immediate 
supervision of McPherson and Logan, a position was soon obtained giving 
us an advantage which soon drove the enemy from that part of the field, 
to make no further stand south of Bayou Pierre. 

The enemy was here repulsed with a heavy loss in killed, wounded and 
prisoners. The repulse of the enemy on our left took place late in the after- 
noon. He was pursued toward Port Gibson, but night closing in, and the 
enemy making the appearance of another stand, the troops slept upon their 
arms until daylight. 

In the morning it was found that the enemy had retreated across Bayou 
Pierre, on the Grand Gulf road, and a brigade of Logan's division was sent 
to divert his attention whilst a floating bridge was being built across Bayou 
Pierre immediately at Port Gibson. This bridge was completed, eight 
miles marched by McPherson's corps to the north fork of Bayou Pierre, 
that stream bridged, and the advance of this corps commenced passing over 
it at five o'clock the following morning. 

On the 3d the enemy was pursued to Hawkinson's Ferry, with slight 
skirmishing all day, during which we took quite a number of prisoners, 
mostly stragglers, from the enemy. 

Finding that Grand Gulf had been evacuated, and that the advance of 
my forces was already fifteen miles out from there, and on the road, too, 
they would have to take to reach either Vicksburg, Jackson, or any inter- 
mediate point on the railroad between the two places, I determined not to 
march them back, but taking a small escort of cavalry, some fifteen or 
twenty men, I went to the Gulf myself, and made the necessary arrange- 
ments for changing my base of supplies from Bruinsburg to Grand Gulf. 

In moving from Milliken's Bend, the Fifteenth Army Corps, Major- 
General W. T. Sherman commanding, was left to be the last to start. To 
prevent heavy re-enforcements going from Vicksburg to the assistance of 
the Grand Gulf forces, I directed Sherman to make a demonstration on 
Haines's Bluff, and to make all the show possible. From information since 
received from prisoners captured, this ruse succeeded admirably. 

It had been my intention, up to the time of crossing the Mississippi 
River, to collect all my forces at Grand Gulf, and get on hand a good 
supply of provisions and ordnance stores before moving, and in the mean 
time to detach an army corps to co-operate with General Banks on Port 
Hudson and effect a junction of our forces. 

About this time I received a letter from General Banks, giving his po- 
sition west of the Mississippi River, and stating that he could return to 
Baton Rouge by the 10th of May; that by the reduction of Port Hudson 
he could join me with twelve thousand men. 

I learned about the same time that troops were expected at Jackson from 
the Southern cities with General Beauregard in command. To delay until 
the 10th of May, and for the reduction of Port Hudson after that, the acces- 
sion of twelve thousand men would not leave me relatively so strong as to 
move promptly with what I had. Information received from day to day 
of the movements of the enemy also impelled me to the course pursued. 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



333 



Whilst lying at Hawkinson's Ferry waiting for wagons, supplies, and Sher- 
man's corps, which had come forward in the mean time, demonstrations 
were made, successfully, I believe, to induce the enemy to think that route 
and the one by Hall's Ferry above were objects of much solicitude to me. 
Reconnoissances were made to the west side of the Big Black to within six 
miles of Warrenton. On the 7th of May an advance was ordered, McPher- 
son's corps keeping the road nearest Black River to Rocky Springs, Mc- 
Clernand's corps keeping the Ridge Road from Willow Springs, and Sher- 
man following with his corps, divided on the two roads. All the ferries 
were closely guarded until our troops were well advanced. It was my in- 
tention here to hug the Black River as closely as possible with McClernand's 
and Sherman's corps, and get them to the railroad, at some place between 
Edwards's Station and Bolton. McPherson was to move by way of Utica 
to Raymond, and from there into Jackson, destroying the railroad telegraph, 
public stores, etc., and push west to rejoin the main force. Orders were 
given to McPherson accordingly. Sherman was moved forward on the 
Edwards's Station road, crossing Fourteen-Mile Creek, at Dillon's Planta- 
tion ; McClernand was moved across the same creek, further west, sending 
one division of his corps by the Baldwin's Ferry road as far as the river. 
At the crossing of Fourteen-Mile Creek, both McClernand and Sherman had 
considerable skirmishing with the enemy to get possession of the crossing. 

McPherson met the enemy near Raymond, two brigades strong, under 
Gregg and Walker, on the same day engaged him, and, after several hours' 
hard fighting, drove him with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisonors. 
Many threw down their arms and deserted. 

My position at this time was with Sherman's corps, some seven miles 
w r est of Raymond, and about the centre of the army. 

On the night of the 12th of May, after orders had been given for the 
corps of McClernand and Sherman to march toward the railroad by paral- 
lel roads, the former in the direction of Edwards's Station and the latter to 
a point on the railroad between Edwards's Station and Bolton, the order 
was changed, and both were directed to move toward Raymond. 

This was in consequence of the enemy having retreated toward Jack- 
son after his defeat at Raymond, and of information that re-enforcements 
were daily arriving at Jackson, and that General Joe Johnston was hourly 
expected there to take command in person. I therefore determined to 
make sure of that place, and leave no enemy in my rear. 

McPherson moved on the 13th to Clinton, destroyed the railroad and 
telegraph, and captured some important dispatches from General Pember- 
ton to General Gregg, who had commanded the day before in the battle 
of Raymond. Sherman moved to a parallel position on the Mississippi 
Springs and Jackson road; McClernand moved to a point near Raymond. 

The next day Sherman and McPherson moved their entire forces toward 
Jackson. The rain fell in torrents all the night before, and continued until 
about noon of that day, making the roads at first slippery and then miry. 
Notwithstanding, the troops marched in excellent order, without strag- 
gling, and in the best of spirits, about fourteen miles, and engaged the 



334 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



enemy about twelve o'clock, m., near Jackson. McClernand occupied Clin- 
ton with one division, Mississippi Springs with another, Raymond with a 
third, and had his fourth division and Blair's division of Sherman's corps, 
with a wagon train still in the rear, near New Auburn, while McArthur, 
with one brigade of his division of McPherson's corps, was moving toward 
Raymond on the Utica road. It was not the intention to move these forces 
any nearer Jackson, but to have them in a position where they would be 
in supporting distance if the resistance at Jackson should prove more ob- 
stinate than there seemed reason to expect. 

The enemy marched out the bulk of his force on the Clinton road, and 
engaged McPherson's Corps about two and a half miles from the city. A 
small force of artillery and infantry took a strong position in front of Sher- 
man about the same distance out. By a determined advance of our skir- 
mishers, these latter were soon driven within their rifle-pits just outside the 
city. It was impossible to ascertain the strength of the enemy at this part 
of the line in time to justify an immediate assault. Consequently McPher- 
son's two divisions engaged the main bulk of the rebel garrison at Jackson, 
without further aid than the moral support given them by the knowledge 
the enemy had of a force to the south side of the city, and a few infantry 
and artillery of the enemy posted there to impede Sherman's progress. 
Sherman soon discovered the weakness of the enemy by sending a recon- 
noitering party to his right, which also had the effect of causing the enemy 
to retreat from this part of his line. A few of the artillerists, however, re- 
mained in their places, firing upon Sherman's troops, until the last moment, 
evidently instructed to do so, with the expectation of being captured in the 
end. On entering the city, it was found that the main body of the enemy 
had retreated north, after a heavy engagement of more than two hours 
with McPherson's corps, in which he was badly beaten. He was pursued 
until near night, but without further damage to him. 

During that evening I learned that General Johnston, as soon as he had 
satisfied himself that Jackson was to be attacked, had ordered Pemberton 
peremptorily to march out from the direction of Yicksburg and attack our 
rear. Availing myself of this information, I immediately issued orders to 
McClernand and Blair, of Sherman's corps, to face their troops toward 
Bolton, with a view to reaching Edwards's Station, marching on different 
roads converging near Bolton. These troops were admirably located for 
such a move. McPherson was ordered to retrace his steps early in the 
morning of the 15th on the Clinton road. Sherman was left in Jackson to 
destroy the railroads, bridges, factories, workshops, arsenals, and every 
thing valuable for the support of the enemy. This was accomplished in 
the most effectual manner. 

On the afternoon of the loth, I proceeded as far west as Clinton, through 
which place McPherson's corps passed to within supporting distance of 
Hovey's division of McClernaud's corps, which had moved that day on the 
same road to within one and a half miles of Bolton. On reaching Clinton, 
at a quarter to five p. m., I ordered McClernand to move his command early 
the next morning towards Edwards's Depot, marching so as to feel the 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



enemy, if he encountered him, but not to bring on a general engagement 
unless he was confident he was able to defeat him ; and also to order Blair 
to move with him. 

About five o'clock on the morning of the 16th, two men, employes on 
the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad, who had passed, through Pemberton's 
army the night before, were brought to my head-quarters. They stated 
Pemberton's force to consist of about eighty regiments, with ten batteries 
of artillery, and that the whole force was estimated by the enemy at about 
twenty-five thousand men. From them I also learned the positions being 
taken up by the enemy, and his intention of attacking our rear. I had de- 
termined to leave one division of Sherman's corps one day longer in Jack- 
son, but this information determined me to bring his entire command up at 
once, and I accordingly dispatched him at 5.30 a. m. to move with all possi- 
ble speed until he came up with the main force near Bolton. My dispatch 
reached him at 7.10 a. m., and his advance division was in motion in one 
hour from that time. A dispatch was sent to Blair at the same time, to 
push forward his division in the direction of Edwards's Station with all 
possible dispatch. McClernand was directed to establish communication 
between Blair and Osterhaus, of his corps, and keep it up, moving the for- 
mer to the support of the latter. McPherson was ordered forward at 5.45 
a.m. to join McClernand, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of my staff, was 
sent forward to communicate the information received, and with verbal 
instructions to McClernand as to the disposition of his forces. At an early 
hour I left for the advance, and on arriving at the crossing of the Vicksburg 
and Jackson Railroad with the road from Raymond to Bolton, I found Mc- 
Pherson's advance and his Pioneer Corps engaged in rebuilding a bridge on 
the former road that had been destroyed by the cavalry of Osterhaus's 
division that had gone into Bolton the night before. The train of Hovey's 
division was at a halt, and blocked up the road from further advance on 
the Vicksburg road. I ordered all quartermasters and wagonm asters to 
draw their teams to one side and make room for the passage of troops. 
McPherson was brought up by this road. Passing to the front, he found 
Hovey's division of the Thirteenth Army Corps at a halt, with our skir- 
mishers and the enemy's pickets near each other. Hovey was bringing 
his troops into line, ready for battle, and could have brought on an engage- 
ment at any moment. The enemy had taken up a very strong position on 
a narrow ridge, his left wing resting on a height where the road makes a 
sharp turn to the left approaching Vicksburg. The top of the ridge and 
the precipitous hillside to the left of the road are covered by a dense forest 
and undergrowth. To the right of the road the timber extends a short 
distance down the hill and then opens into cultivated fields on a gentle 
slope, and into a valley extending for a considerable distance. On the road 
and into the wooded ravine and hillside Hovey's division was disposed for 
the attack. McPherson's two divisions — all of his corps with him on the 
march from Milliken's Bend (until Ransom's brigade arrived that day after 
the battle) — were thrown to the right of the road, properly speaking, to the 
enemy's rear. But I would not permit an attack to be commenced by our 



336 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



troops until I could hear from McClernand, who was advancing with four 
divisions, two of them on a road intersecting the Jackson road about one 
mile from where the troops above described were placed, and about the 
centre of the enemy's line; the other two divisions on a road still north, 
and nearly the same distance off. 

I soon heard from McClernand, through members of his staff, and my 
own, whom I had sent to him early in the morning, and found that by the 
nearest practicable route of communication he was two and a half miles 
distant. I sent several successive messages to him to push forward with all 
rapidity. There had been continuous firing between Hovey's skirmishers 
and the rebel advance, which, by eleven o'clock, grew into a battle. For 
some time this division bore the brunt of the conflict ; but, finding the 
enemy too strong for them, at the instance of Hovey, I directed first one 
and then a second brigade from Crocker's division to re-enforce him. All 
this time Logan's division was working upon the enemy's left and rear, 
and weakened his front attack most wonderfully. The troops here op- 
posing us evidently far outnumbered ours. Expecting McClernand mo- 
mentarily with four divisions, including Blair's, I never felt a doubt of the 
result. He did not arrive, however, until the enemy had been driven from 
the field, after a terrible contest of hours, with a heavy loss of killed, 
wounded, and prisoners, and a number of pieces of artillery. It was found 
afterward that the Vicksburg road, after following the ridge in a southerly 
direction for about one mile, and to where it intersected one of the Ray- 
mond roads, turns almost to the west down the hill and across the valley 
in which Logan was operating on the rear of the enemy. One brigade of 
Logan's division had, unconscious of this important fact, penetrated nearly 
to this road, and compelled the enemy to retreat, to prevent capture. As 
it was, much of his artillery and Loring's division of his army was cut off, 
besides the prisoners captured. On the call of Hovey for more re-enforce- 
ments, just before the rout of the enemy commenced, I ordered McPher- 
son to move what troops he could by a left flank around to the enemy's 
front. Logan rode up at this time and told me that, if Hovey could make 
another dash at the enemy, he could come up from where he then was, and 
capture the greater par.t of their force. I immediately rode forward, and 
found the troops that had been so gallantly engaged for so many hours, 
withdrawn from their advanced position, and were filling their cartridge- 
boxes. I directed them to use all dispatch, and push forward as soon as 
possible, explaining to them the position of Logan's division. Proceeding 
still further forward, expecting every moment to see the enemy, and reach- 
ing what had been his line, I found he was retreating. Arriving at the 
Raymond road, I saw to my left and on the next ridge a column of troops, 
which proved to be Carr's division, and McClernand with it in person ; and 
to the left of Carr Osterhaus's division soon afterward appeared, with his 
skirmishers well in advance. I sent word to Osterhaus that the enemy was 
in full retreat, and to push up with all haste. The situation was soon ex- 
plained, after which I ordered Carr to pursue with all speed to Black River, 
and cross it if he could, and to Osterhaus to follow. Some of McPherson's 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



337 



troops Lad already got into the road in advance ; but, having marched and 
engaged the enemy all day, they were fatigued, and gave the road to Oarr, 
who continued the pursuit until after dark, capturing a train of cars loaded 
with commissary and ordnance stores and other property. 

The delay in the advance of the troops immediately with McOlernand was 
caused, no doubt, by the enemy presenting a front of artillery and infantry 
where it was impossible, from the nature of the ground and the density of 
the forest, to discover his numbers. As it was, the battle of Champion's 
Hill, or Baker's Creek, was fought mainly by Hovey's division of McCler- 
nand's corps and Logan's and Quimby's divisions (the latter commanded 
by Brigadier-General M. M. Crocker) of McPherson's corps. 

Ransom's brigade, of McPherson's corps, came on to the field where the 
main battle had been fought, immediately after the enemy had begun his 
retreat. 

Word was sent to Sherman, at Bolton, of the result of the day's engage- 
ment, with directions to turn his corps toward Bridgeport, and to Blair 
to join him at this latter place. 

At daylight on the 17th, the pursuit was renewed, with McClernand's 
corps in the advance. The enemy was found strongly posted on both 
sides of the Black River. At this point on Black River the bluffs extend 
to the water's edge on the west bank. On the east side is an open, culti- 
vated bottom, of near one mile in width, surrounded by a bayou of stagnant 
water, from two to three feet in deptb, and from ten to twenty feet in width, 
from the river above the railroad to the river below. Following the inside 
line of this bayou, the enemy h?,d constructed rifle-pits, with the bayou to 
serve as a ditch on the outside and immediately in front of them. Carr's 
division occupied the right in investing this place, and Lawler's brigade 
the right of his division. After a few hours' skirmishing, Lawler discover- 
ed that, by moving a portion of his brigade under cover of the river bank, 
he could get a position from which that place could be successfully assault- 
ed, and ordered a charge accordingly. Notwithstanding the level ground 
over which a portion of his troops had to pass without cover, and the great 
obstacle of the ditch in the front of the enemy's works, the charge was gal- 
lantly and successfully made, and in a few minutes the entire garrison with 
seventeen pieces of artillery were the trophies of this brilliant and daring 
movement. The enemy on the west bank of the river immediately set fire 
to the railroad bridge and retreated, thus cutting off all chance of escape 
for any portion of his forces remaining on the east bank. 

Sherman by this time had reached Bridgeport, on Black River, above. 
The only pontoon train with the expedition was with him. By the morn- 
ing of the 18th he had crossed the river, and was ready to march on Walnut 
Hills. McClernand and McPherson built floating bridges during the night, 
and had them ready for crossing their commands by eight a. m. of the 18th. 

The march was commenced by Sherman at an early hour, by the Bridge- 
port and Vicksburg road, turning to the right when within three and a half 
miles of Vicksburg, to get possession of Walnut Hills and the Yazoo River. 
This was successfully accomplished before the night of the 18th. McPher- 
22 



338 L1FE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



son crossed Black River above the Jackson road, and came into the same 
road with Sherman, but to his rear. He arrived after nightfall with his 
advance to where Sherman turned to the right. McClernand moved by the 
Jackson and Vicksburg road to Mount Albans, and there turned to the left 
to get into Baldwin's Ferry road. By this disposition the three army corps 
covered all the ground their strength would admit of, and by the morning 
of the 19th the investment of Vicksburg was made as complete as could be 
by the forces at my command. 

During the day there was continuous skirmishing, and I was not with- 
out hope of carrying the enemy's works. Relying upon the demoraliza- 
tion of the enemy, in consequence of repeated defeats outside of Vicks- 
burg, I ordered a general assault at two p. m. on this day. 

The Fifteenth Army Corps, from having arrived in front of the en- 
emy's works in time on the 18th to get a good position, were enabled to 
make a vigorous assault. The Thirteenth and Seventeenth Corps suc- 
ceeded no further than to gain advanced positions, covered from the fire 
of the enemy. The 20th and 21st were spent in perfecting communica- 
tions with our supplies. Most of the troops had been marching and fight- 
ing battles for twenty days, on an average of about five days' rations, 
drawn from the commissary department. Though they had not suffered 
from short rations up to this time, the want of bread to accompany the 
other rations was beginning to be much felt. On the 21st, my arrange- 
ments for drawing supplies of every description being complete, I deter- 
mined to make another effort to carry Vicksburg by assault. There were 
many reasons to determine me to adopt this course. I believed an assault 
from the position gained by this time could be made successfully. It was 
known that Johnston was at Canton with the force taken by him from 
Jackson, re-enforced by other troops from the east, and that more were 
daily reaching him. With the force I had, a short time must have en- 
abled him to attack me in the rear, and possibly succeeded in raising 
the siege. Possession of Vicksburg at that time would have enabled 
me to have turned upon Johnston and driven him from the State, and 
possessed myself of all the railroads and practical military highways, thus 
effectually securing to ourselves all territory west of the Tombigbee, and 
this before the season was too far advanced for campaigning in this lati- 
tude. It would have saved Government sending large re-enforcements, 
much needed elsewhere; and finally, the troops themselves were impa- 
tient to possess Vicksburg, and would not have worked in the trenches 
with the same zeal, believing it unnecessary, that they did after their 
failure to carry the enemy's works. Accordingly, on the 21st, orders 
were issued for a general assault on the whole line, to commence at 10 
a. m. on the 22d. All the corps commanders set their time by mine, that 
there should be no difference between them in movement of assault. 
Promptly at the hour designated, the three army corps then in front of 
the enemy's works commenced the assault. I had taken a commanding 
position near McPherson's front, and from which I could see all the ad- 
vancing columns from his corps,, and a part of each of Sherman's and 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



339 



McClernand's. A portion of the commands of each succeeded in planting 
the flags on the outer slopes of the enemy's bastions, and maintained them 
there until night. Each corps had many more men than could possibh' 
be used in the assault, over such ground as intervened between them and 
the enemy. More men could only avail in case of breaking through the 
enemy's line, or in repelling a sortie. The assault was gallant in the 
extreme on the part of all the troops ; but the enemy's position was too 
strong, both naturally and artificially, to be taken in that way. At 
every point assaulted, and at all of them at the same time, the enemy 
was able to show all the force his works could cover. The assault failed, 
I regret to say, with much loss on our side in killed and wounded, but 
without weakening the confidence of the troops in their ability to ulti- 
mately succeed. 

No troops succeeded in entering any of the enemy's works with the 
exception of Sergeant Griffith, of the Twenty-first Regiment, Iowa Vol- 
unteers, and some eleven privates of the same regiment. Of these none 
returned except the sergeant and possibly one man. The work entered 
by him, from its position, could give us no practical advantage, unless 
others to the right and left of it were carried and held at the same time. 

About 12 m. I received a dispatch from McClernand that he was hard 
pressed at several points, in reply to which I directed him to re-enforce the 
points hard pressed from such troops as he had that were not engaged. 
I then rode round to Sherman, and had just reached there when I re- 
ceived a second dispatch from McClernand, stating positively and une- 
quivocally that he was in possession of and still held two of the enemy's 
forts, that the American flag then waved over them, and asking me to 
have Sherman and McPherson make a diversion in his favor. This 
dispatch I showed to Sherman, who immediately ordered a renewal of 
the assault on his front. 1 also sent an answer to McClernand directing 
him to order up McArthur to his assistance, and started immediately to 
the position T had just left on McPherson's line, to convey to him the 
information from McClernand by this last dispatch, that he might make 
the diversion requested. Before reaching McPherson, I met a messenger 
with a third dispatch from McClernand, of which the following is a 
copy:— 

Head-Quarters Thirteenth Armt Corps, in the Field, j 
near Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 22, 1863. I 

General : — "We have gained the enemy's intrenchments at several 
points, but are brought to a stand. I have sent word to McArthur to 
re-enforce me if he can. Would it not be best to concentrate the whole 
or a part of his command on this point ? 

John A. McClernand, Major-General commanding. 

Major-General U. S. Grant. 

P. S. — I have received your dispatch. My troops are all engaged, and 
I cannot withdraw any to re-enforce others. 



340 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The position occupied by me during most of the time of the assaalt 
gave me a better opportunity of seeing what was going on in front of 
the Thirteenth Army Corps than I believed it possible for the commander 
of it to have. I could not see his possession of forts, nor necessity for 
re-enforcements, as represented in his dispatches, up to the time I left 
it, which was between twelve m. and one p. m., and I expressed doubts 
of their correctness, which doubts the facts subsequently, but too late, 
confirmed. At the time I could not disregard his reiterated statements, 
for they might possibly be true ; and that no possible opportunity of 
carrying the enemy's stronghold should be allowed to escape through 
fault of mine, I ordered Quimby's division, which was all of McPher- 
son's corps then present but four brigades, to report to McClernand, and 
notified him of the order. I showed his dispatches to McPherson, as I 
had to Sherman, to satisfy him of the necessity of an active diversion on 
their part to hold as much force in their fronts as possible. The diversion 
was promptly and vigorously made, and resulted in the increase of our 
mortality list full fifty per cent., without advancing our position or giving 
us other advantages. 

About half-past three p. m. I received McClernand's fourth dispatch, 
as follows : — 

Head-Quarters Thirteenth Army Corps, J 
May 22, 1S63. » 

General : — I have received your dispatch in regard to General Quim- 
by's division and General Mc Arthur's division. As soon as they arrive I 
will press the enemy with all possible speed, and doubt not I will force 
my way through. I have lost no ground. My men are in two of the 
enemy's forts, but they are commanded by rifle-pits in the rear. Several 
prisoners have been taken, who intimate that the rear is strong. At this 
moment I am hard pressed. 

John A. McClernand, Major-General commanding. 

Major-General U. S. Grant, Department of the Tennessee. 

The assault of this day proved the quality of the soldiers of this army. 
Without entire success, and with a heavy loss, there was no murmuring or 
complaining, no falling back, nor other evidence of demoralization. 

After the failure of the 22d, I determined upon a regular siege. The 
troops, now being fully awake to the necessity of this, worked diligently 
and cheerfully. The work progressed rapidly and satisfactorily until the 
3d of July, wmen all was about ready for a final assault. 

There was a great scarcity of engineer officers in the beginning, but 
under the skillful superintendence of Captain F. E. Prime, of the Engineer 
Corps, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, of my staff, and Captain C. B. Corn- 
stock, of the Engineer Corps, who joined this command during the siege, 
such practical experience was gained as would enable any division of this 
army hereafter to conduct a siege with considerable skill in the absence of 
regular engineer officers. 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



341 



On the afternoon of the 3d of July, a letter was received from Lieuten- 
ant-General Pemberton, commanding the Confederate forces at Vicksburg, 
proposing an armistice and the appointment of commissioners to arrange 
terms for the capitulation of the place. The correspondence, copies of 
which are herewith transmitted, resulted in the surrender of the city and 
garrison of Vicksburg, at ten o'clock a. m., July 4, 1863, on the following 
terms : — The entire garrison, officers and men, were to be paroled, not to 
take up arms against the United States until exchanged by the proper 
authorities ; officers and men each to be furnished with a parole signed by 
himself; officers to be allowed their side arms and private baggage, and 
the field, staff, and cavalry officers one horse each ; the rank and file to be 
allowed all their clothing, but no other property ; rations from their own 
stores sufficient to last them beyond our lines; the necessary cooking uten- 
sils for preparing their food, and thirty wagons to transport such articles 
as could not well be carried. These terms I regard more favorable to the 
Government than an unconditional surrender. It saved us the trans- 
portation of them North, which at that time would have been very diffi- 
cult, owing to the limited amount of river transportation on hand, and the 
expense of subsisting them. It left our army free to operate against John- 
ston, who was threatening us from the direction of Jackson, and our river 
transportation to be used for the movement of troops to any point the 
exigency of the service might require. 

I deem it proper to state here, in order that the correspondence may 
be fully understood, that, after my answer to General Pernberton's letter 
of the morning of the 3d, w r e had a personal interview on the subject of 
the capitulation. 

The particulars and incidents of the siege will be contained in the re- 
ports of division and corps commanders, which will forwarded as soon as 
received. 

I brought forward, during the siege, in addition to Lauman's division, 
and four regiments previously ordered from Memphis, Smith's and Kim- 
ball's divisions, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and assigned Major-General 
C. C. Washburne to command the same. On the 11th of June, Major- 
General F. J. Herron's division from the Department of the Missouri 
arrived, and on the 14th two divisions of the Ninth Army Corps, Major- 
General J. G. Parke commanding, arrived. This increase in my force 
enabled me to make the investment most complete, and at the same 
time left me a large reserve to watch the movements of Johnston. Herron's 
division was put into position on the extreme left, south of the city, and 
Lauman's division was placed between Herron and McClernand. Smith's 
and Kimball's divisions and Parke's corps were sent to Haines's Bluff. 
This place I had fortified to the land side, and every preparation made to 
resist a heavy force. Johnston crossed Big Black River with a portion 
of his force, and every thing indicated that he would make an attack about 
the 25th of June. Our position in front of Vicksburg having been made 
as strong against a sortie from the enemy as his works were against an 
assault, I placed Major-General Sherman in command of all the troops 



342 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



designated to look after Johnston. The force intended to operate against 
Johnston, in addition to that at Haines's Bluff, was one division from 
each of the Thirteenth, Fifteenth, and Seventeenth Army Corps, and 
Lauman's division. Johnston, however, not attacking, I determined to 
attack him the moment Vicksbnrg was in our possession, and accord- 
ingly notified Sherman that I should again make an assault on Yicks- 
burg at daylight on the 6th, and for him to have up supplies of all 
descriptions ready to move upon receipt of orders, if the assault should 
prove a success. His preparations were immediately made, and when 
the place surrendered on the 4th, two days earlier than I had fixed for 
the attack, Sherman was found ready, and moved at once with a force 
increased by the remainder of both the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Army 
Corps, and is at present investing Jackson, where Johnston has made a 
stand. 

In the march from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg, covering a period of 
twenty days, before supplies could be obtained from government stores, 
only five days' rations were issued, and three days' of these were taken 
in haversacks at the start, and were soon exhausted. All other subsistence 
was obtained from the country through which we passed. The march was 
commenced without wagons, except such as could be picked up through 
the country. The country was abundantly supplied with corn, bacon, 
beef, and mutton. The troops enjoyed excellent health, and no army ever 
appeared in better spirit or felt more confident of success. 

In accordance with previous instructions, Major-General S. A. Hurl- 
but started Colonel (now Brigadier-General) B. H. Grierson with a cav- 
alry force from La Grange, Tennessee, to make a raid through the central 
portion of the State of Mississippi, to destroy railroads and other public 
property, for the purpose of creating a diversion in favor of the army 
moving to the attack on Vicksburg. On the 17th of April this expedi- 
tion started, and arrived at Baton Rouge on the 2d of May, having suc- 
cessfully traversed the whole State of Mississippi. This expedition was 
skillfully conducted, and reflects great credit on Colonel Grierson and all 
of his command. The notice given this raid by the Southern press con- 
firms our estimate of its importance. It has been one of the most bril- 
liant cavalry exploits of the war, and will be handed down in history as 
an example to be imitated. Colonel Grierson's report is herewith trans- 
mitted. 

I cannot close this report without an expression of thankfulness for 
my good fortune in being placed in co-operation with an officer of the 
navy, who accords, to every move that seems for the interest and success 
of our arms, his hearty and energetic support. Admiral Porter, and the 
very efficient officers under him, have ever shown their greatest readi- 
ness in their co-operation, no matter what was to be done or what risk 
to be taken, either by their men or their vessels. Without this prompt 
and cordial support, my movements would have been much embarrassed, 
if not wholly defeated. 

Captain J. U. Shirk, commanding the Tuscumbia, was especially active 



GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



343 



and deserving of the highest commendation for his personal attention to 
the repairing of the damage done our transports by the Vicksburg bat- 
teries. 

The result of this campaign has been the defeat of the enemy in five 
battles outside of Vicksburg ; the occupation of Jackson, the capital of 
the State of Mississippi, and the capture of Vicksburg and its garrison and 
munitions of war; a loss to the enemy of thirty-seven thousand (37,000) 
prisoners, among whom were fifteen general officers; at least ten thousand 
killed and wounded, and among the killed Generals Tracy, Tilghman, and 
Green, and hundreds and perhaps thousands of stragglers, who can 
never be collected and reorganized. Arms and munitions of war for an 
army of sixty thousand men have fallen into our hands, besides a large 
amount of other public property, consisting of railroads, locomotives, 
cars, steamboats, cotton, &c, and much was destroyed to prevent our 
capturing it. 

Our loss in the series of battles may be summed up as follows : — 





Killed. 


Wounded. 


Missing. 




130 


718 


5 


Fourteen-Mile Creek (skirmish). 


4 


24 




Ravmond 


69 


341 


32 


Jackson 


40 


240 


6 




429 


1,842 


189 


Big Black railroad bridge 


29 


242 


2 


Vicksburg 


545 


3,088 


303 



Of the wounded, many were but slightly wounded, and continued on 
duty; many more required but a few days or weeks for their recovery. 
Not more than one-half of the wounded were permanently disabled. 

My personal staffs and chiefs of departments have, in all cases, rendered 
prompt and efficient service. 

In all former reports I have failed to make mention of Company A, 
Fourth Regiment Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, Captain S. D. Osband com- 
manding. This company has been on duty with me as an escort company 
since November, 1861, and in every engagement I have been in since that 
time rendered valuable service, attracting general attention for their exem- 
plary conduct, soldierly bearing, and promptness. It would not be over- 
stating the merits of this company to say that many of them would fill 
with credit any position in a cavalry regiment. 

For the brilliant achievements recounted in this report, the Army of 
the Tennessee, their comrades of the Ninth Army Corps, Herron's division 
of the Army of the Frontier, and the navy co-operating with them, deserve 
the highest honors their country can award. 

I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, 

IT. S. Geaxt, Major-General U. S. A. commanding. 
Colonel J. C. Kelton, A. A.-G., Washington, D. O. 



344 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



General Halleck, in his report, gives to the chief the 
honor of a campaign, emphatically his own — for not a 
subordinate general counseled the venture of crossing 
the hostile territory : — 

"When we consider the character of the country in 
which the army operated, the formidable obstacles to be 
overcome, the number of forces and the strength of the 
enemy' s works, we cannot fail to admire the courage and 
endurance of the troops, and the skill and daring of their 
commander. K"o more brilliant exploit can be found in 
military history. It has been alleged, and the allegation 
has been widely circulated by the press, that General 
Grant, in the conduct of his campaign, positively dis- 
obeyed the instructions of his superiors. It is hardly 
necessary to remark that General Grant never disobeyed 
an order or instruction, but always carried out to the 
best of his ability every wish or suggestion made to him 
by the Government. Moreover, he has never complained 
that the Government did not furnish him all the means 
and assistance in its power, to facilitate the execution of 
any plan he saw fit to adopt." 

When the news of this glorious victory officially 
reached the President, he sent an autograph letter 
to General Grant, of which document the following is 
a copy : — 

Executive Mansion, "Washington, July 13, 1863. 

To Major-General Grant: — 

My Deae General : — I do not remember that you and I ever met per- 
sonally. I write this now as a grateful acknowledgment for the almost 
inestimable service you have done the country. I wish to say a word fur- 
ther. When you first reached the vicinity of Vicksburg, I thought you 
should do what you finally did — march the troops across the neck, run 
the batteries with the transports, and thus go below; and I never had 
any faith, except a general hope that you knew better than I, that the 
Yazoo Pass expedition and the like could succeed. When you got below, 
and took Port Gibson, Grand Galf, and vicinity, I thought you should go 
down the river and join General Banks ; and when you turned northward, 
east of the Big Black, I feared it was a mistake. I now wish to make a 
personal acknowledgment, that you were right and I was wrong. 

Yours, very truly, 

A. Lincoln. 



THE PRESIDENT ON GENERAL GRANT'S HABITS. 345 

Several gentlemen were near the President at the time 
he received the news of Grant's success, some of whom 
had been complaining of the rumors of his habit of using 
intoxicating drinks to excess. 

"So I understand Grant drinks whisky to excess V 
interrogatively remarked the President. 

" Yes," was the reply. 

"What whisky does he drink?" inquired Mr. Lin- 
coln. 

" What whisky ?" doubtfully queried his hearers. 

" Yes. Is it Bourbon or Monongahela V 

"Why do you ask, Mr. President?" 

"Because if it makes him win victories like this at 
Yicksburg, I will send a demijohn of the same kind to 
every general in the army." 

His visitors saw the point, although at their own cost. 



346 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTEE XVII. 

SIEGE OF JACKSON.— GENERAL GRANT'S TOUR. 

General Johnston Alarmed. — Retires to his Defenses at Jackson. — Addresses his 
Troops. — Investment of the City by Sherman. — Raids. — Incidents of the Siege. 
— General Grant Relaxes the Sternness of Military Rule. — His Care of the 
Negroes. — He makes a Tour of Observation. — Festival at Memphis. — Visits 
General Banks at New Orleans. — Grand Review. — Meets with an Accident. — 
Resumes Active Command. 

But what, meanwhile, has Johnston been doing, whom 
we left hovering in the distance aronnd Vicksburg, im- 
patient to help the beleaguered army? Foiled in his 
designs by the sleepless vigilance of General Grant, he 
had chafed like a caged lion in the toils, quite as thor 
oughly besieged in the open field as his fellow traitors 
were within the city. And now General Sherman, bj r 
General Grant's order, moved toward him, animated by 
the recent victories. 

The rebel general, on finding the Union troops had 
been sent in pursuit of his forces, fell back within the 
defenses of the Mississippi State capital, where he issued 
the following proclamation to his troops : — 

Head-Qttakters on the Field, July 9, 1863. 

Fellow-Soldieks : — An insolent foe, flushed with hope by his recent 
success at Vicksburg, confronts you, threatening the people, whose homes 
and liberty you are here to protect, with plunder and conquest. Their guns 
may even now be heard as they advance. 

The enemy it is at once the duty and the mission of you, brave men, to 
chastise and expel from the soil of Mississippi. The commanding general 
confidently relies on you to sustain his pledge, which he makes in advance, 
and he will be with you in the good work, even unto the end. 

The vice of "straggling" he begs you to shun, and to frown on. If 
needs be, it will be checked by even the most summary remedies. 

The telegraph has already announced a glorious victory over the foe, 
won by your noble comrades of the Virginia army on Federal soil : may he 
not, with redoubled hopes, count on you, while defending your firesides and 



GENERAL SHE EM AN MOVES ON JACKSON. 347 



household gods, to emulate the proud example of your brothers in the 
East? 

The country expects in this, the great crisis of its destiny, that every 
man will do his duty. 

Joseph E. Johnstox, General commanding. 

The army under General Sherman had advanced 
steadily, and was now gradually encircling the city. On 
the 12th of July he had invested the city from Pearl River, 
on the north of Jackson, to the same stream south of the 
place. The Pearl River runs directly through the city. 
By this means. General Sherman succeeded in cutting off 
many hundred cars from the Confederacy. While invest- 
ing the city, General Sherman on the 11th of J uly sent a 
company of cavalry on a foraging expedition, and during 
the trip the command ascertained that the extensive li- 
brary, formerly belonging to the rebel President, was 
secreted in a house near by. The cavalry at once pro- 
ceeded to the house, and there found thousands of volumes 
of books, and several bushels of private and political 
papers belonging to Davis, written by persons North and 
South, who had been engaged in the plot of inciting the 
rebellion. Some of the papers were carried into camp, and 
served as novel literature for the officers and men. 

In addition to these, valuable gold-headed walking- 
canes were found, one of them presented to Davis by 
Franklin Pierce. On another one was the inscription, 
"From a Soldier to a Soldier's Friend." 

In many of the letters the subject of secession was 
warmly discussed. Some of them date back as far as 1852. 
Many of the more prominent writers accepted the separa- 
tion of the North and South as a foregone conclusion, but 
only disagreed how and when it should be done. Davis 
was alluded to as the political Moses. 

On the morning of July 12th, General Sherman sent a 
battalion of cavalry on an expedition about fifteen miles 
east of Jackson, to destroy the railroad bridges, culverts, 
rolling stock, and whatever aided the war of rebellion. 

During the greater part of the preceding night the in- 
vesting forces made arrangements for a cannonade of the 
enemy' s works. A premature movement of a portion of 



348 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the line nearly caused a failure of the expedition, "but 
prompt action on the part of the commanding general 
remedied the evil. 

On the 13th of July the rebels made a sortie from their 
works and advanced a brigade of infantry and several bat- 
teries of artillery against the right of the line, to break it, 
It was sudden and made under the cover of a heavy fog ; 
but was met with a determined resistance. In a short time 
after the enemy had opened the attack, the whole of the 
right wing was in line of battle, ready for any emergency. 

On the night of June 16th, General Joseph E. Johnston 
with a portion of his army evacuated Jackson and re- 
treated in great haste toward the east. Had he not made 
his retreat that night, the whole garrison would probably 
have been captured the next day by a complete invest- 
ment of the city. 

General Grant had remained at Vicksburg when Gen- 
eral Sherman advanced, but he was not idle. He held 
constant communication with his various commands, and 
organized expeditions, the more effectually to clear the 
department of all vestige of rebel rule. A dispatch affords 
a glimpse of his work : — 

Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 12, 1863. 
Major-General Halleck, General-in-chief : 

General Sherman has Jackson invested from Pearl River on the north 
to the River on the south. This has cut off many hundred cars from the 
Confederacy. Sherman says he has forces enough, and feels no apprehen- 
sion about the result. 

Finding that Yazoo city was being fortified, I sent General Herron there 
with his division. He captured several hundred prisoners and one steam- 
boat. Five pieces of heavy artillery and all the public stores fell into our 
hands. The enemy burned three steamboats on the approach of the gun- 
boats. 

The De Kalb was blown up and sunk in fifteen feet of water by the 
explosion of a torpedo. 

Finding that the enemy were crossing cattle for the rebel army at 
Natchez, and were said to have several thousand there, I have sent steam- 
boats and troops to collect them, and destroy all boats, and means for mak- 
ing more. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

General Grant telegraphed :— 



GENERAL GRANT'S DISPATCH, 



349 



Vicksbukg, Mississippi, July 18, 1S63. 

Major-General II. W. Halleck, General-in-chief : 

Joe Johnston evacuated Jackson on the night of the 16th instant. He 
is now in full retreat east. Sherman says most of Johnston's army must 
perish from heat, lack of water, and general discouragement. 

The army paroled here have to a great extent deserted, and are scattered 
over the country in every direction. 

Learning that Yazoo city was being fortified, I sent General Herron 
there. Five guns were captured, many stores, and about three hundred 
prisoners. 

General Ransom was sent to Natchez to stop the crossing of cattle for 
the Eastern army. On arrival he found that large numbers had been driven 
out of the city to be pastured : also that munitions of war had recently been 
crossed over to wait for Kirby Smith. He mounted about two hundred of 
his men and sent them in both directions. 

They captured a number of prisoners and five thousand head of Texas 
cattle, two thousand head of which were sent to General Banks. The 
balance have been or will be brought here. 

In Louisiana they captured more prisoners, and a number of teams loaded 
with ammunition. Over two million rounds of ammunition were brought 
back to Natchez with the teams captured, and two hundred and sixty-eight 
thousand rounds, besides artillery ammunition, were destroyed. 

U. S. Geant, Major-General commanding. 

These dispatches tell the story of a closing campaign, 
unsurpassed in the greatness of its conception and its 
results. 

A major in the rebel army had formerly served in the 
same regiment of the United States army with Grant, but 
was then his prisoner. Grant treated him kindly, invited 
him to his private apartment, and, after he left, gave a 
sketch of the rebel' s former life to the members of his staff. 
He said that, when the rebel major was in his room and he 
was talking to him about the Confederate service, the latter 
replied, " Grant, I tell you, I ain't much of a rebel, after 

all, and when I am paroled, I will let the d d service 

go to the mischief." 

While General Grant's head-quarters were at Vicks- 
burg, several interesting scenes enlivened the interlude of 
exhausting toil. The President nominated him to the 
office of Major-General, and the commission was issued, 
bearing date of July 4, 1863. The officers who had served 
under him, with appropriate ceremonies, presented him a 



350 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



splendid sword. The blade was of finest steel, the scab- 
bard of solid silver, elegantly finished, the handle richly 
carved with the figure of a young giant crushing the hydra, 
rebellion ; and the box, on whose lid, inside, was wrought 
his name with crimson silk, was made of rosewood, bound 
with ivory, and lined with velvet. 

General Grant relaxed the severity of his orders the 
moment it was safe to enlarge the liberty of his soldiers : — 

Head-Quarters Department op the Tenitessee, ) 
Vicksbtteg, Mississippi, July 20, 1S63. > 

In pursuance of Section 32, of an Act entitled " An Act for enrolling 
and calling out the National forces, and for other purposes," approved 
March 3, 1SG3, furloughs may be granted for a period not exceeding thirty 
days at one time, to five per centum of the non-commissioned officers and 
privates of each regiment, battery, independent company, and detachment, 
present with their respective commands in this department, for good con- 
duct in their line of duty, by their immediate commanding officers, ap- 
proved by intermediate and army corps commanders. Furloughs thus 
granted are intended for the benefit of well men, and the sick who have 
become so from fatigue or exposure in the line of duty. 

Under no circumstances will furloughs be given to men who have 
shirked duty, or straggled on the march, or from camps. Such men must 
be made to perform extra fatigue duty by their immediate commanding 
officers, and in cases where this is not regarded as sufficient punishment, 
they will be fined in an amount not beyond that which a regimental court- 
martial is authorized to impose. The amount of such fine will be entered 
on the proper muster and pay rolls, opposite their respective names, and 
the cause for which it is imposed stated. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

The open rebel sympathizers, although despising the 
United States Government, and constantly giving practical 
aid to its enemies, were ever ready to send their negroes to 
be fed by the military authorities. General Grant was 
determined to put a stop to this proceeding, and issued the 
following order : — 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, I 
Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 21, 1S63. ' 

1. Hereafter no issues of provisions will be made for contrabands, except 
those serving in regiments or in contraband camps. 

2. Issues of provisions will not be made to citizens, except on certifi- 
cates that they are destitute, and have no means of purchasing the necessary 
supplies for their families. These certificates must state the number of the 



GENERAL GEANT ON REBEL TRADE. 



351 



family, and the time for which they draw, which shall not exceed ten days 
at any one time. 

3. In making issues to citizens, only articles of prime necessity will be 
given, L e., bread and meat, and these at the rate of one pound of flour, one 
half pound of salt meat, or one pound of fresh beef, to the ration. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

The matter of trade with the rebels had always been a 
source of trouble to General Grant, as he found that per- 
sons so engaged were far more ready to secure to them- 
selves the profits of illicit speculation than to care for the 
success of the Union armies. The following letter to the 
Honorable Secretary of the Treasury clearly sets forth his 
feelings upon this matter, and explains his objections to 
the plan of ' ' Trade following the Flag' ' : 

Head-Quarters Department of the Tennessee, 1 
Vicesburg, Mississippi, July 21, IS63. J 

Sie: — Your letter of the 4th instant to me, inclosing a copy of a letter 
of same date to Mr. Mellen, special agent of the Treasury, is just received. 
My Assistant Adjutant-General, by whom I shall send this letter, is about 
starting for Washington ; hence I shall be very short in my reply. 

My experience in West Tennessee has convinced me that any trade 
whatever with the rebellious States is weakening to us of at least thirty- 
three per cent, of our force. No matter what the restrictions thrown 
around trade, if any whatever is allowed it will be made the means of 
supplying the enemy what they want. Restrictions, if lived up to, make 
trade unprofitable, and hence none but dishonest men go into it. I will 
venture to say that no honest man has made money in West Tennessee in 
the last year, while many fortunes have been made there during the time. 

The people in the Mississippi valley are now nearly subjugated. Keep 
trade out for a few months, and I doubt not but that the work of subju- 
gation will be so complete, that trade can be opened freely with the States 
of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi; that the people of these States 
will be more anxious for the enforcement and protection of our laws than 
the people of the loyal States. They have experienced the misfortune of 
being without them, and are now in a most happy condition to appreciate 
their blessings. 

No theory of my own will ever stand in the way of my executing, in 
good faith, any order I may receive from those in authority over me ; but 
my position has given me an opportunity of seeing what would not be 
known by persons away from the scene of war; and I venture, therefore, 
to suggest great caution in opening trade with rebels. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major -General. 
Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. 



352 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



It is clear by the last paragraph, that General Grant 
never allowed his private feelings to interfere with duty, 
and was always ready to render a cheerful obedience to 
authority. 

By the end of July, 1863, he had perfected a complete 
system of mounted patrols between Vicksburg and New 
Orleans, who, with the gunboats, afforded ample protection 
to vessels. Every thing soon became quiet, and there were 
no signs of rebels on either shore. He ordered all sick 
soldiers in hospital, able to bear the journey, to be sent 
home on thirty days' furlough, and all those permanently 
disabled to be immediately discharged or recommended for 
membership in the invalid corps. 

The following indicates General Grant's care for the 
soldiers under his command, and his determination that 
they should not be imposed upon by the cormorants that 
generally hang upon the trail of an army : 

When General Grant issued his order, No. 45, granting 
furloughs to the soldiers, he also issued a special order for- 
bidding steamboat men to charge more than five dollars to 
enlisted men, and seven dollars to officers, as fare between 
Vicksburg and Cairo. Immediately after Vicksburg had 
fallen, a large number of steamboats cleared from Northern 
ports for that place, and were in the habit of charging 
soldiers, going home on furlough, from fifteen to thirty 
dollars fare to Cairo. 

One day, the steamer Hope touched at Vicksburg. The 
decks were covered with the brave volunteers, homeward 
bound from the late hard service, on a brief furlough. 
There were twelve hundred bronzed heroes, of whom 
nearly a quarter were officers. General Grant was in- 
formed that the captain had charged them from ten to 
twenty-five dollars each. Calling an officer, he said : 

i ' Take a guard, and order that captain to refund to en- 
listed men the excess of five dollars, and of seven dollars 
to the officers ; or he'll be arrested, and his boat con- 
fiscated." 

The captain listened, and looked with amazement. 
The armed guard convinced him it was useless to resist. 
He put on an air of injured innocence in the extortion, and 



THE CO^MANDER-Iff-CHIEF REGULATES FARE. 353 



out with his pocket-book. The money was counted and 
paid oyer, amid the shouts of the troops huzzaing for 
Grant, the soldier' s friend. 

He remarked to those about him : 

U I will teach them, if they need the lesson, that the 
men who have periled their lives, to open the Mississippi 
River for their benefit, cannot be imposed upon with 
impunity." 

This considerate regard to the interests of the abused 
soldiers is one of the most pleasing, attractive features of 
General Grant's character. It won confidence from the 
humblest volunteer in his command. 

The General is no politician, if that word means more 
than a loyal citizen. Like all conspicuous men, especially 
in the civil war of our country, in which politics — by 
which is understood party success and office- seeking 
• — have been a deadly poison, corrupting and threaten- 
ing the very life of the nation, he was not unfrequently 
approached on the subject by the 6 4 wire-pullers." A good 
story or two went abroad from his head-quarters at Vicks- 
burg. Professed political friends paid him a visit, and, 
after a short time spent in compliments, they touched upon 
the never-ending subject of politics. One of the party 
was in the midst of a very flowery speech, using all his 
rhetorical powers to induce the General, if possible, to 
view matters in the same light as himself, when he was 
suddenly stopped by General Grant : 

" There is no use of talking politics to me. I know 
nothing about them ; and, furthermore, I do not know of 
any person among my acquaintances who does. But," con- 
tinued he, " there is one subject with which I am perfectly 
acquainted ; talk of that, and I am your man." 

"What is that, General?" asked the politicians, in 
great surprise. 

"Tanning leather," was the reply. 

The subject was immediately changed. 

The magnanimity of General Grant shone finely in his 
unambitious award of honor to his officers. July 23d, he 
wrote to the proper authorities : 

"I would respectfully, but urgently, recommend the 

23 



354 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



promotion of Major-General W. T. Sherman, now com- 
manding the Fifteenth Army Corps, to the position of 
Brigadier- General in the regular army. 

4 4 To General Sherman I was greatly indebted for his 
promptness in forwarding to me, during the siege of Fort 
Ponelson, re-enforcements and supplies from Paducah. 
At the "battle of Shiloh, on the first day, he held with raw 
troops the keypoint to the landing. To his individual 
efforts I am indebted for the success of that battle. Twice 
hit, and several (I think three) horses shot under him on 
that day, he maintained his position with raw troops. It 
is no disparagement to any other officer to say that 1 do 
not believe there was another division commander on the 
field who had the skill and experience to have done it. 
His services as division commander in the advance on 
Corinth, I will venture to say, were appreciated by the 
now General-in-Chief beyond those of any other division 
commander. 

"General Sherman's arrangement as commander of 
troops in the attack on Chickasaw Bluffs, last December, 
was admirable ; seeing the ground from the opposite side 
from the attack, I saw the impossibility of making it suc- 
cessful. The conception of the attack on Arkansas Post 
was General Sherman's. His part of the execution, no one 
denies, was as good as it possibly could have been. His 
demonstration at Haines's Bluff, in April, to hold the 
enemy about Yicksburg, while the army was securing a 
foothold east of the Mississippi ; his rapid marches to join 
the army afterward ; his management at Jackson, Missis- 
sippi, in the first attack ; his almost unequaled march 
from J ackson to Bridgeport, and passage of Black River ; 
his securing Walnut Hills on the 18th of May, and thus 
opening communications with our supplies, all attest his 
great merit as a soldier. The siege of Yicksburg and last 
capture of Jackson and dispersion of Johnston's army en- 
title General Sherman to more credit than usually falls to 
the lot of one man to earn. The promotion of such men as 
Sherman always adds strength to our arms." 

On the same day that he recommended the promotion 
of General Sherman, he also requested the same honor for 



GENERAL GRANT ON GENERAL MoPHERSON. 



355 



General McPherson, and wrote to the General-in-Chief 
concerning him as follows : 

" General McPherson has been with me in every battle 
since the commencement of the rebellion, except Belmont. 
At Ports Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, and the siege of Corinth, 
as a staff officer and engineer, his services were con- 
spicuous and highly meritorious. At the second battle of 
Corinth his skill as a soldier was displayed in successfully 
carrying re-enforcements to the besieged garrison, when 
the enemy was between him and the point to be reached. 

44 In. the advance through Central Mississippi last No- 
vember and December, General McPherson commanded 
one wing of the army with all the ability possible to show, 
lie having the lead in the advance and the rear returning. 

" In the campaign and siege terminating with the fall of 
Yicksburg, General McPherson has tilled a conspicuous 
part at the battle of Port Gibson. It was under his direc- 
tion that the enemy was driven, late in the afternoon, from 
a position they had succeeded in holding all day against 
an obstinate attack. His corps, the advance, always under 
his immediate eye, were the pioneers in the movement 
from Port Gibson to Hawkinson' s Ferry. From the north 
fork of the Bayou Pierre to Black River it was a constant 
skirmish, the whole skillfully managed. The enemy was 
so closely pressed as to be unable to destroy their bridge 
of boats after them. From Hawkinson' s Ferry to Jackson, 
the Seventeenth Army Corps marched roads not traveled 
by other troops, fighting the entire battle of Raymond 
alone, and the bulk of Johnston's army was fought by this 
corps, entirely under the management of General McPher- 
son. 

"At Thompson's Hill, the Seventeenth Corps and Gen- 
eral McPherson were conspicuous; all that could be 
termed a battle there was fought by the divisions of 
General McPherson' s corps, and Hovey's division of the 
Thirteenth Corps. In the assault of the 22d of May, on 
the fortifications of Yicksburg, and during the entire siege, 
General McPherson and his command took unfading 
laurels. He is one of our ablest engineers and most skillful 
generals." 



356 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The commander-in-chief was in earnest in his purpose 
to eradicate from his department all bands of marauders, 
guerrillas, and irregular troopers, who, under the disguise 
of citizens, committed depredations within the Union lines. 
Neither would he allow plundering by his own soldiers. 
He therefore issued the following important order to that 
effect : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Yioksburg. Mississippi, August 1, 1863. * 

I. All regularly organized bodies of the enemy having been driven from 
those parts of Kentucky and Tennessee west of the Tennessee River, and 
from all of Mississippi west of the Mississippi Central Railroad, and it being 
to the interest of those districts not to invite the presence of armed bodies 
of men among them, it is announced that the most rigorous penalties will 
hereafter be inflicted upon the following classes of prisoners, to wit : All 
irregular bodies of cavalry not mustered and paid by the Confederate 
authorities; all persons engaged in conscripting, enforcing the conscription, 
or apprehending deserters, whether regular or irregular; all citizens en- 
couraging or aiding the same ; and all persons detected in firing upon* 
unarmed transports. 

It is not contemplated that this order shall affect the treatment due to 
prisoners of war captured within the districts named^ when they are mem- 
bers of legally organized companies, and when their act9 are in accordance 
with the usages of civilized warfare. 

II. The citizens of Mississippi within the limits above described are 
called upon to pursue their peaceful avocations, in obedience to the laws of 
the United States. While doing so in good faith, all United States forces 
are prohibited from molesting them in any way. It is earnestly recom- 
mended that the freedom of negroes be acknowledged, and that, instead of 
compulsory labor, contracts on fair terms be entered into between the 
former masters and servants, or between the latter and other persons 
who may be willing to give them employment. Such a system as this, 
honestly followed, will result in substantial advantages to all parties. 

All private property will be respected, except when the use of it is neces- 
sary for the Government, in which case it must be taken under the direc- 
tion of a corps commander, and by a proper detail under charge of a 
commissioned officer, with specific instructions to seize certain property and 
no other. A staff-officer of the quartermaster's or subsistence department 
will, in each instance, be designated to receipt for such property as may be 
seized, the property to be paid for at the end of the war on proof of 
loyalty, or on proper adjustment of the claim, under such regulations or 
laws as may hereafter be established. All property seized under this order 
must be taken up on returns by the officers giving receipts, and disposed of 
in accordance with existing regulations. 

III. Persons having cotton, or other produce not required by the army 



NO PLUNDER ALLOWED BY THE ARMY. 



157 



will be allowed to bring the same to any military post within the State */f 
Mississippi, and abandon it to the agent of the Treasury Department at 
said post, to be disposed of in accordance with such regulations as the 
Secretary of the Treasury may establish. At posts where there is no such 
agent, the post quartermaster will receive all such property, and, at the 
option of the owner, hold it till the arrival of the agent, or send it to 
Memphis, directed to Captain A. R. Eddy, Acting Quartermaster, who will 
turn it over to the properly authorized agent at that place. 

IV. Within the county of Warren, laid waste by the long presence of 
contending armies, the following rules, to prevent suffering, will be ob- 
served: 

Major-General Sherman, commanding the Fifteenth Army Corps, and. 
Major-General McPherson, commanding the Seventeenth Army Corps, will 
each designate a commissary of subsistence, who will issue articles of prime 
necessity to all destitute families calling for them, under such restrictions 
for the protection of the Government as they may deem necessary. Fami- 
lies who are able to pay for the provisions drawn will in all cases be 
required to do so. 

V. Conduct disgraceful to the American name has been frequently re- 
ported to the Major-General commanding, particularly on the part of 
portions of the cavalry. Hereafter, if the guilty parties cannot be reached, 
the commanders of regiments and detachments will be held responsible, and 
those who prove themselves unequal to the task of preserving discipline in 
their commands will be promptly reported to the War Department for 
6w muster out." Summary punishment must be inflicted upon all officers 
and soldiers apprehended in acts of violence or lawlessness. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

The negroes in the department having all become free 
by virtue of President Lincoln's proclamation and the 
occupation of the country by the United States authorities, 
General Grant issued the following order for the care and 
disposition of such as were without protection or employ- 
ment : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of the Tennessee, ) 
Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 10, 1SC3. » 

I. At all military posts in States within this department, where slavery 
has been abolished by the proclamation of the President of the United 
States, camps will be established for such freed people of color as are out of 
employment. 

II. Commanders of posts or districts will detail suitable officers from the 
army as superintendents of such camps. It will be the duty of such super- 
intendents to see that suitable rations are drawn from the Subsistence 
Department for such people as are confided to their care. 

III. All such persons supported by the Government will be employed in 
every practicable way, so as to avoid, as far as possible, their becoming a 



358 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



burden upon the Government. They may be hired to planters or other 
citizens, on proper assurance that the negroes so hired will not be run off 
beyond the military jurisdiction of the United States ; they may be employed 
on any public works, in gathering crops from abandoned plantations, and 
generally in any manner local commanders may deem for the best interests 
of the Government, in compliance with law and the policy of the Adminis- 
tration. 

IV. It will be the duty of the provost-marshal at every military post to 
see that every negro, within the jurisdiction of the military authority, is 
employed by some white person, or is sent to the camps provided for freed 
people. 

V. Citizens may make contracts with freed persons of color for their 
labor, giving wages per month in money, or employ families of them by the 
year on plantations, &c, feeding, clothing and supporting the infirm as well 
as able-bodied, and giving a portion, not loss than one-twentieth of the 
commercial part of their crops, in payment for such services. 

VI. Where negroes are employed under this authority, the parties 
employing will register with the provost-marshal their names, occupation, 
and residence, and the number of negroes so employed. They will enter 
into such bonds as the provost-marshal, with the approval of the local 
Commander, may require, for the kind treatment and proper care of those 
employed, and as security against their being carried beyond the employe's 
jurisdiction. 

VII. Nothing of this order is to be construed to embarrass the em- 
ployment of such colored persons as may be required by the Govern- 
ment. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

But now we turn to a domestic view of the warrior's 
life. His excellent wife, who had patiently waited in the 
distance for a victorious pause in his stormy career, em- 
braced the moments of comparative rest, and left her home 
for his camp. With a devoted wife's just pride, she 
desired not only to see him, but the stronghold which had 
immortalized his name, 

Reaching St. Louis, it soon became known that she 
was there. A fine band gathered to the hotel, and sere- 
naded the lady, who sought the public applause no more 
than her husband. When the music died away, three 
cheers rang out for General Grant, followed by as many 
more for her. Leaning on the arm of Brigadier- General 
Strong, he responded to repeated calls lor a speech, as 
follows : — 



" Gentlemen : — I am requested by Mrs. Grant to 



A SPEECH FOR MRS. GRANT. 



359 



express her acknowledgments for the honor you have done 
her on this occasion. I know well that, in tendering her 
thanks, I express your sentiments, when I say the compli- 
ment through her to her noble husband is one merited by 
a brave and great man, who has made his name forever 
honored and immortal, in the history of America's illustri- 
ous patriots, living or dead. Mrs. Grant does not desire, 
in the testimony you have offered, that you should forget 
the brave and gallant officers and soldiers who have so 
largely assisted in bringing about the glorious result which 
has recently caused the big heart of our nation to leap 
with joy. She asks you also to stop and drop a pensive 
tear over the graves of the noble dead, who have fallen in 
the struggle, that you and I, and all of us, might enjoy the 
fruits of their patriotic devotion to a country second to 
none on the earth. We trust that the Mississippi forever 
will be under the control of our glorious country. Mrs. 
Grant is now on the way to join her husband, who, since 
the commencement of the war, has not asked for one day's 
absence. He has not found time to be sick. With these 
remarks she bids you good-night, and begs that you accept 
her thousand thanks. ' ' 

We cannot enter the seclusion of the house in the con- 
quered city, and hear all the words of devotion and con- 
gratulation there, which came in like seolian harmony 
during the pauses of a tempest, to the experience of the 
great commander. 

Leaving the youthful but gifted McPherson to com- 
mand the District of Vicksburg, General Grant began a 
tour of observation among the important posts of his ex- 
tensive military rule. 

The first important place of a formal visit was Memphis, 
in the southwestern corner of Tennessee, nearly north of 
Vicksburg, which he reached on the 25th of August, and 
where he was received with great honor by the inhabitants 
of that city, although he arrived late in the evening. 

At ten o'clock the next morning a committee of citizens 
waited upon the General to tender him the hospitalities of 
the city, and to present to him a series of resolutions passed 
at a meeting of the residents of Memphis, held on the day 



300 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 



of his arrival. At the close of the address, an invitation 
was proffered to General Grant to be present at a dinner 
to be given in his honor that evening. The General re- 
ceived the committee cordially, but without further words 
than the thanking of the gentlemen, and through them the 
citizens of Memphis, for the great courtesy conferred upon 
him. He afterward forwarded the following modest and 
pleasant letter of acceptance : — 

Memphis, Tennessee, August 26, 1863. 

Gentlemen : — I received a copy of the resolutions passed by the "loyal 
citizens of Memphis, at a meeting held at the rooms of the Chamber of 
Commerce, August 25th, 1863," tendering me a public reception. 

In accepting this testimonial, which I do at a great sacrifice of my per- 
sonal feelings, I simply desire to pay a tribute to the first public exhibition 
in Memphis of loyalty to the Government which I represent in the Depart- 
ment of the Tennessee. I should dislike to refuse, for considerations of per- 
sonal convenience, to acknowledge, anywhere or in any form, the existence of 
sentiments which I have so long and so ardently desired to see manifested 
in this department. The stability of this Government and the unity of this 
nation depend solely on the cordial support and the earnest loyalty of the 
people. While, therefore, I thank you sincerely for the kind expressions 
you have used toward myself, I am profoundly gratified at this public recog- 
nition, in the city of Memphis, of the power and authority of the Government 
of the United States. 

I thank you, too, in the name of the noble army which I have the honor 
to command. Tt is composed of men whose loyalty is proved by their deeds 
of heroism and their willing sacrifices of life and health. They will rejoice 
with me that the miserable adherents of the rebellion, whom their bayonets 
have driven from this fair land, are being replaced by men who acknowledge 
human liberty as the only true foundation of human government. May your 
efforts to restore your city to the cause of the Union be as successful as have 
been theirs to reclaim it from the despotic rule of the leaders of the rebel- 
lion. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, 

Your very obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 
Messrs. R. Hough and others, Committee, Memphis. 

At precisely nine o'clock, the band struck up one of 
the national airs, the doors of the reception room flew open, 
and General Grant made his appearance. There was a 
great rush on the part of the enthusiastic and impatient to 
grasp the hero's hand. An hour, at least, though it seemed 
less, was thus consumed in hand-shaking and congratnla- 



THE GRANT FESTIVAL AT ST. LOUIS. 



361 



tions. After the lapse of this time, the band again sent 
forth its melody in the shape of a march. The whole as- 
semblage then formed in two ranks, headed by General 
Grant. This done, the entire party marched into the 
dining-room, made the complete round of the tables, ex- 
amining the preparations, and then seated themselves. 

The repast was followed by the toasts : 

"The United States of America — They have one Con- 
stitution and Government. May they have one grand des- 
tiny while human institutions endure." Responded to by 
Honorable Charles Kortrecht. 

"The Army and Navy — Their deeds and heroism in 
this war will be the noble theme of poet and historian in 
all future time." Responded to by Adjutant-General Lo- 
renzo Thomas. 

" General Grant — The guest of the city." 

This was the signal for the wildest applause, and it was 
some minutes before order could be restored. It was ex- 
pected that General Grant would be brought to his feet by 
this ; but the company were disappointed, upon perceiving 
that, instead, his place was taken by his staff surgeon, Br. 
Hewitt, who remarked : 

"I am instructed by General Grant to say, that, as he 
has never been given to public speaking, you will, have to 
excuse him on this occasion ; and, as I am the only mem- 
ber of his staff present, I therefore feel it my duty to thank 
you for this manifestation of your good-will, as also the 
numerous other kindnesses of which he has been the recipi- 
ent ever since his arrival among you. General Grant be- 
lieves that, in all he has done, he has no more than accom- 
plished a duty, and one, too, for which no particular honor 
is due. But the world, as you do, will accord otherwise." 

The Doctor then proposed, at General Grant's request : 

"The officers of the different staffs, and the non-com- 
missioned officers and privates of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee." 

" The Federal Union— It must and will be preserved." 
Responded to by Major- General S. A. Hurlbut. 

" The Old Flag— May its extinguished stars, rekindled 
by the sacred flame of human liberty, continue to shine 



362 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



forever undiminished in number, and undimmed in splen- 
dor." Brigadier- General Veatch. 

"The President of the United States—He must be sus- 
tained." Colonel J. W. Fuller. 

"The Star-spangled Banner" was here sung, the whole 
party joining in the chorus. 

"The loj-al men of Tennessee — Their devotion to the 
Union, the cause of republican government, and constitu- 
tional liberty, is like gold tried seven times by fire."- — Mr. 
J. M. Tomony. 

The remainder of the toasts were of a local character, 
with the exception of the closing one, which was as fol- 
lows : 

"General Grant — Your Grant and my Grant. Having 
granted us victories, grant us the restoration of the ' Old 
Flag ;' grant us supplies, so that we may grant to our 
friends the grant to us." 

Dr. Morris read the following lines composed in honor 
of General Grant : — 

DE SOTO, FULTON, GRANT. 

The daring Spaniard, when his eyes beheld, 
For the first time, yon noble river roll 
And sparkle in the sunbeams, as it bore 
Its mighty current onward to the sea, 
Fell upon bended knee and worshiped God 
Aloud, for that his painful task was done. 
The secret of the ages he had solved — 
The Mississippi, sire of floods, stood forth, 
Embanked in verdure, bordered by a soil 
Richer than Egypt's Delta, 

Science and commerce winged their pinions there, 
Aad wrote his name, De Soto, on their scrolls. 

Ages rolled by, the tawny savage fled — 

The white man launched his boat upon the flood, 

The forest fell, the fertile soil gave back 

Unto the sower's hand a hundred-fold. 

Then rose the genius Fulton, and he taught 

To stem the unconquered flood, to push the weight 

Of mightiest keels against the heaving mass 

That untold centuries had crowned with power ; 

He sent his messengers in smoke and flame 



THE OPENING OF TEE MISSISSIPPI. 



363 



Up to the Mississippi's very fount ; 

And by the Spaniard's name he wrote his own — 

Fulton, the nation's benefactor. 

Yon sire of floods was the great bond that joined 
These waters into one : his bosom bore 
In precious freightage all that nature yields 
From furthest North down to a torrid clime ; 
Its channel was the highway of the "West : 
Science had made his heaving mass her own ; 
Pleasure danced revelry upon its floods ; 
Beauty and love dwelt by him all secure ; 
Fraternal hands joined hands along his banks; 
His very waters made us all akin. 

Then spoke an enemy — and on his banks 

Armed men appeared, and cannon-shot proclaimed 

The Mississippi closed — that mighty stream 

Found by De Soto, and by Fulton won ! 

One thought to chain him ! ignominious thought! 

But then the grand old monarch shook his locks 

And burst his fetters like a Samson freed ! 

The heights were crowned with ramparts sheltering thore 

"Whose treason knew no bounds : the frowning forts 

Belched lightnings, and the morning gun 

A thousand miles told mournfully the tale, 

The Mississippi closed. 

Not long ; from the Lord God of Hosts was sent 
A leader who with patient vigil planned 
A great deliverance : height by height was gained, 
Island and hill and woody bank and cliff. 
Month followed month, till on our natal day 
The last great barrier. fell, and never more 
The sire of waters shall obstruction know! 
Now with De Soto's name, and Fulton's, see 
The greater name of Grant ! 

Our children's children, noble Grant, shall sing 
That great deliverance ! On the floods of spring 
Thy name shall sparkle, smiling commerce tell 
Thy great achievement which restores the chain, 
Never again to break, which makes us one. 



General Grant immediately turned his steps southward 
again, visiting Natchez and other points in the department. 



364 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



He proceeded to New Orleans to confer with General 
Banks on the question of re-opening trade "between the 
North and South. He arrived there on the 2d of Sep- 
tember, within one week from the time he left Memphis, and 
the next day it was announced that the trade of the city 
of New Orleans with Cairo, St. Louis and the cities and 
towns of the Upper Mississippi, the Missouri and Ohio 
Rivers, was declared free from any military restriction 
whatever. The trade of the Mississippi within the Depart- 
ment of the Gulf was held subject only to such limitations 
as might prove necessary to prevent the supply of provi- 
sions and munitions of war to the enemies of the country. 

On the morning of the 4th of September, 1863, General 
Grant held a grand review of the Thirteenth Army Corps, 
which had been under his command at Yicksburg, but 
was afterward transferred to that of General Banks. 

General Banks, accompanied by a numerous staff, was 
at the St. Charles Hotel as early as eight o'clock, and at 
nine o'clock both generals left for Carrolton, where the 
review took place. The street Avas crowded to witness the 
departure of these officers, all present being desirous of 
seeing General Grant. He was in undress uniform, with- 
out sword, sash, or belt ; coat unbuttoned, a low-crowned 
black felt hat, without any mark upon it of military rank ; 
a pair of kid gloves, and a cigar in his mouth. It must be 
known, however, that he is never without the latter, ex- 
cept when asleep. 

Daring the review, General Grant, although a good 
horseman, being mounted on a strange horse, was sud- 
denly thrown from his seat, and severely injured. At this 
particular time the mishap was of serious consequence 
with regard to the campaigns in the Southwest, as may be 
judged from the annual report of the general-in- chief. 

It appears, in the following extract from that document, 
that it was intended that General Grant should take com- 
mand in September, 1863, of the Union forces moving tow- 
ard northwestern Georgia ; but his accident prevented : 

" As three separate armies — those of the Ohio, Cumber- 
land, and Tennessee— were now to operate in the same 
held, it seemed necessary to have a single commander, in 



THE GENERAL-IN-CHIEF'S REPORT. 



305 



order to secure a more perfect co-operation than had been 
obtained with the separate commands of Burnside and 
Eosecrans. General Grant, by his distinguished services 
and superior rank to all the other generals in the West, 
seemed entitled to this general command. But, unfortu- 
nately, he was at this time in New Orleans, unable to take 
the field. Moreover, there was no telegraphic communi- 
cation with him, and the dispatches of September 13th, 
directed to him and General Sherman, did not reach 
them until some days after their dates, thus delaying the 
movement of General Grant's forces from Vicksburg. 
General Hurlbut, however, had moved the troops of his 
own corps, then in West Tennessee, with commendable 
promptness. These were to be replaced by re-enforce- 
ments from Steele's corps, in Arkansas, which also formed 
part of General Grant' s army. Hearing nothing from Gen- 
eral Grant' s or General Sherman' s corps at Vicksburg, it 
was determined, on the 23d, to detach the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps from the Army of the Potomac, and send 
them by rail, under the command of General Hooker, to 
protect General Rosecrans's line of communication from. 
Bridgeport to Nashville. It was known that these troops 
could not go immediately to the front. To send more men 
to Chattanooga, when those already there could not be 
fully supplied, would only increase the embarrassment, 
and probably cause the evacuation of that place. In 
other words, Hooker's command was temporarily perform- 
ing the duties previously assigned to the re-enforcements 
ordered from Grant's army." 

General Grant's injuries were of so serious a nature 
that it was feared he would never be able to take the field 
again. He was carried from Carrolton, on a litter, to the 
steamer Franldin, which took Mm up the river; his 
breastbone was said to have been crushed, three ribs 
broken, and one side paralyzed ; and his brain was 
thought to be affected from the concussion of the fall from 
his horse. Fortunately for the country, by the aid of a 
good surgeon, he was enabled, after over a month's ill- 
ness, to take the position destined for him, as chief com- 
mander in the West. 



366 



LIFE AM) CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

A NEW CAMPAIGN. — CHATTANOOGA, 

Chickamauga.-— Bosecrans defeated there. — Preparations for a new Campaign.-— 
General Grant moves up the Mississippi.— Again at Vicksburg, caring for his 
Command. — A Board and Medal of Honor. — General Sherman on the March 
for Chattanooga.— General Grant meets the Secretary of War. — Enlarged Com- 
mand. — The Enemy alarmed. — Affected Mirth. — Chattanooga Relieved. — Prep- 
arations for Decisive Battle. — The Bloody Contest. — General O'Meara. 

In southeastern Tennessee, on the Western and At- 
lantic Railroad, eighteen miles apart, are Chickamauga 
and Chattanooga. The Tennessee River flows near, and 
railways run among the wild summits which guard glori- 
ous valleys, and make some of the finest scenery in the 
world. The history of this battle-ground, forever asso- 
ciated with the names of Grant, Sherman, and Thomas, is 
peculiar and interesting. 

This was the Cherokee's favorite hunting-ground. 
Over it the State of Georgia extended her laws, and im- 
prisoned the missionaries who refused to take the oath of 
allegiance to them. 

While General Grant was a suffering invalid, Septem- 
ber 19th, General Kosecrans, at the head of the Army of 
the CumberJ and, met General Bragg at Chickamauga, and, 
after a desperate conflict, was glad to retreat to Chatta- 
nooga, unpursued by his successful enemy. 

As soon as he was able to move, the chief began 
his Voyage up the Mississippi River. He stopped at the 
principal depots of his troops, and arranged for their de- 
parture eastward, at such times as would enable them to 
form a combination with the forces at Chattanooga. 

While at Vicksburg, he was determined that his men 
should be paid, and issued his order accordingly. It was 
also necessary to make a tariff of rates to prevent imposi- 
tions upon the war- ruined people of the Southwest. The 



AN ORDER REGULATING AFFAIRS ON THE RIVER. 



367 



exorbitant prices of passage on the Mississippi River 
called forth from department head-quarters the last para- 
graph of the following order in relation to river matters : — 

Head-Quarters, Department of tee Tennessee, ) 
Vicksbekg, Mississippi, Sex>t ember 29, 1863. f 

I. All enlisted men on detached service, in army corps other than that 
in which their regiments, detachments, or companies are serving, except 
those detailed by orders from department head-quarters, as nurses in gen- 
eral hospitals and hospital steamers, and clerks in staff departments, are 
hereby relieved from such detached service, and will report to their respect- 
ive commands for duty. 

Army corps commanders will see that this order is carried into imme- 
diate execution. 

II. Company and regimental commanders will furnish to the officer in 
charge of men of their respective commands, absent in hospitals or at 
parole camps, proper descriptive lists and accounts of pay and clothing, to 
enable them to draw their pay. Such descriptive lists must contain the 
name, rank, description, where born, occupation, when, where, and by 
whom enrolled or enlisted, when, where, by whom, and for what period 
mustered, by what paymaster, and to what time last paid, the bounty paid 
and amount still due, and the amount due, to or from him, for clothing, 
with the proper remarks showing his military history, &c. Descriptive 
lists showing less than this are valueless. Hereafter, no enlisted man will 
be sent from his company or regiment without such descriptive list as is 
herein required being furnished to the proper officer in charge, and any 
neglect to comply with this order will subject the offender to trial by court- 
martial and dismissal from the service. 

It will be the duty of all officers of the Inspector-General's Department 
to properly inspect and report any neglect of duty in this particular. 

III. Array corps commanders will announce in general orders the acting 
assistant inspectors-general of districts, divisions, and brigades within 
their respective corps, and will authorize them to make inspections and 
recommend the disposal of unserviceable property, in accordance with army 
regulations and orders. 

So much of paragraph third of General Orders, No. 30, current series, 
from these head-quarters, as requires the acting assistant inspectors-general 
of districts, divisions, and brigades, to report direct to the Assistant In- 
spector-General at department head-quarters, is revoked, and all reports 
required by army regulations and existing orders will be forwarded through 
the proper military channels. 

IV. So much of General Orders, No. 49, current series, from these 
head-quarters, as establishes the rates of transportation and subsistence of 
commissioned officers traveling on steamboats within this department, is 
hereby revoked, and in lieu thereof is substituted the rates of military trans- 
portation and subsistence established by Colonel Lewis B. Parsons, Assist- 



368 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ant-Quartermaster and General Superintendent of Transportation at St. 
Louis, Missouri, August 1, 1863, viz. : 

TO OE FEOM ST. LOUIS TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES. 

Cairo to Columbus . . $4 Vicksburg $16 

Memphis 10 Port Hudson ... 18 

Helena 12 New Orleans. ... 20 

And to or from all intermediate points at like rates in proportion to 
distance transported. 

Enlisted men will be entitled to travel as cabin passengers, when they 
desire it, at same rates. 

By order of Major- General U. S. Geant. 

Before he left the Department of the Tennessee, he 
regulated the military jurisdiction oyer the conquered 
region around Vicksburg. 

The administration of the city was excellent, and the 
numerous secessionists still remaining there were kept on 
their good "behavior in dread of "exile," as they consid- 
ered the operation of sending them to their friends within 
the rebel lines. The following officers composed the mili- 
tary command : — District Commander, Major-General Jas. 
B. McPherson ; Post Commander, Major-General John 
A. Logan ; District Provost-Marshal, Lieutenant-Colonel 
James Wilson ; Post Provost-Marshal, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Waddell. As a reward for special bravery, General Grant 
instituted the "Insignia of Honor" for the Seventeenth 
Corps. The design of the medals was a blending of the 
crescent, a star, and a shield ; the base being formed of 
the crescent, to the two extremities of which was fixed the 
star, while pendant from its lower point was suspended a 
shield. Upon the crescent, the words "Vicksburg, July 
4, 1863." The object in the presentation of these badges 
was, to reward the meritorious members of the Seven- 
teenth Corps for conspicuous valor on the field of battle or 
endurance in the march. This famous corps, since its or- 
ganization, had been foremost in duty and deeds of glory 
throughout the entire campaign against Vicksburg, and 
no better method could have been adopted to continue in 
the future the same excellent spirit of emulation for which 



MOVEMENTS TOWARD CHATTANOOGA. 



369 



it had always been celebrated, both on the part of officers 
and men. 

After the repulse of the forces at Chickamauga in front 
of Chattanooga, important movements of troops com- 
menced from General Grant's department toward that 
place. All of General Sherman's Fifteenth Army Corps, 
excepting General Tuttle' s division, was transported from 
Yicksburg to the line of the Memphis and Charleston 
Eailroad. On Saturday, October 10th, General Oster- 
haus's division entered luka. No considerable body of 
rebels was encountered anywhere on the march between 
luka and Corinth. The rebel cavalry were seen hovering 
on the Union flank and front continually, although they 
gave but little trouble or uneasiness. A reconnoissance 
was made on October 11th by two regiments of infantry, a 
section of artillery, and one company of cavalry, and re- 
vealed a battalion of cavalry at the crossing of Bear Creek, 
five miles east of luka. 

In the mean time, it was known by the rebels that Gen- 
eral Sherman was at Memphis, and intended to pass over 
the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to Chattanooga. A 
body of rebel cavalry and infantry therefore concentrated 
at Wyeth, a small village on the Tallahatchie, where were 
located the head-quarters of Colonel Chalmers. This force 
was further increased by the addition of a number of con- 
scripts. Having thus gathered all the numbers they could 
in the country, Chalmers found himself at the head of 
about four thousand men of all kinds and five pieces of 
artillery. With this command he moved north, and on 
the morning of October 11th made his appearance upon 
the railroad, several miles beyond Colliersville. The regu- 
lar passenger train, though in his power, the enemy 
allowed to pass, but as soon as that had run by, working 
parties were thrown upon the track, which was torn up in 
several places, and the ties stacked upon the road and 
fired. These fires proved a fortunate circumstance, as, 
soon after, General Sherman and staff, accomxoanied by his 
body guard, a battalion of the Thirteenth Regulars, ap- 
proached the place on an extra train. Discovering the 
fires, the troops on board prepared for an attack, though 

24 



370 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tli ey did not disembark, and the entire party ran up to the 
station. As they were passing a certain point, as was ex- 
pected, the enemy fired upon the train, particularly into 
the passenger car, wounding several persons. Having run 
to the stockade, the enemy closed in upon the Union 
troops, and commenced a fire from all directions. In order 
to cover the transit of the United States troops from the 
train to the stockade, the regulars made a charge out of 
the cars and directly upon the enemy, who fled in all 
directions in a perfect panic. The entire force then suc- 
ceeded in taking refuge within the stockade, and acted en- 
tirely on the defensive. 

Before General Sherman arrived, the garrison had en- 
gaged the enemy in a desperate conflict, and at the time 
of his appearance they had been overwhelmed and driven 
within the fortifications of the place. The fight continued 
but a short time after the opportune arrival of the regu- 
lars, though, while it did, the General took an active part 
among the men. His presence fired their enthusiasm and 
stimulated their courage. 

Immediately upon the receipt of information that the 
enemy was in this neighborhood, a strong body of infan- 
try re-enforcements was ordered from Memphis to the 
scene of operations. At the same time the cavalry, en- 
camped at German town, were ordered to mount and move 
out. A force also demonstrated from the east. 

On October 21st, the Union forces moving eastward 
from Corinth met with resistance near Cherokee Station, 
eighty-nine miles from Tuscumbia. General Osterhaus 
was in the advance, and had not moved far when he 
encountered two brigades of rebel cavalry, estimated at 
from four to six thousand. The fight lasted an hour, 
when the rebels were defeated. 

General Sherman, finding that to advance along the 
railroad would only lead to continual fighting and delay, 
kept a small force moving by that direction, while he 
marched the main body north of the Tennessee River, and 
thus reached Chattanooga without any serious opposition, 
as the rebels had concentrated their forces to resist his 
advance by the route south of that stream. 



GENERAL GRANT'S ENLARGED COMMAND. 371 



General Grant moved up the Mississippi to Cairo, 
making a short visit to the military posts along that river. 
He telegraphed his arrival at each of these places to the 
head-quarters of the General-in-Chief at Washington, and 
the Secretary of War started to meet him on the route. 
When General Grant arrived at Indianapolis, he found 
that a telegram was there awaiting him at the depot, re- 
questing him to delay his further journey until the arrival 
of that official. It was not long before they met, and as 
soon as the Secretary of War and the General had passed 
the usual compliments between gentlemen on their first 
personal acquaintance, the former handed the latter the 
following order : — 

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, I 
Washington, October 16, 186a » 

By direction of the President of the United States, the Departments of 
the Ohio, of the Cumberland, and of the Tennessee will constitute the Mili- 
tary Division of the Mississippi. Major-General U. S. Grant, United States 
army, is placed in command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, with 
his head-quarters in the field. 

Major-Gcneral W. S. Rosecrans, U. S. Volunteers, is relieved from the 
command of the Department and Army of the Cumberland. Major-General 
G. H. Thomas is hereby assigned to that command. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. Townsend, A. A.-G, 

The party then proceeded, with their special attend- 
ants, to Louisville, where their arrival created intense ex- 
citement. They found a wondering crowd gathered in the 
hall of the Gait House to catch a glimpse of the hero of 
Vicksburg. Numerous were the exclamations of wonder 
as General Grant made his appearance. There seemed to 
have been an impression that the General was above the 
ordinary stature of men. 

" I thought he was a large man," said a native. " He 
would be considered a small chance of a fighter if he lived 
in Kentucky." 

The medium-sized frame of the General formed a 
strange contrast to the huge figures of the Kentuckians 
who swarmed to behold him. 



372 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



During the afternoon, he indulged in a ride on horse- 
back around the town. He was still unable to walk with- 
out his cane and crutch. 

The condition of the region of country over which 
General Grant was now to exercise superintendence was 
such as to require immediate action ; and he at once as- 
sumed his new command, and announced it in a very un- 
pretending order : — 

Head-Quarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, ? 

Louisville, Kentucky, October 18, 1863. f 

In compliance with General Orders, No. 337, of date Washington, D, 0., 
October 16, 1863, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the "Mili- 
tary Division of the Mississippi, embracing the Departments of the Ohio, of 
the Cumberland, and of the Tennessee." 

The head-quarters of the Military Division of the Mississippi will be in 
the field, where all reports and returns required by army regulations and 
existing orders will be made. 

U. S. Geant, Major-Genera!. 

The new command was one of the most stupendous 
ever held by a general, "below the grade of a general-in- 
chief, in this or any other nation. It covered a larger 
area, and controlled a greater number of troops, than had 
previously been held and massed under one man. The 
military division of the Mississippi embraced the central 
zone of operations, and the nature of the territory belonging 
thereto rendered it absolutely essential that one mind should 
direct its movements. The necessity for proper co-opera- 
tion alone made this imperative. 

General Grant now had under his direction four of the 
largest armies in the field. His own army, with which he 
won the victories in and around Yicksburg, and through- 
out Mississippi; the "Army of the Cumberland;" the 
"Army of the Ohio," and General Hooker's Grand Divi- 
sion. Under him was a perfect galaxy of Marshals. His 
army commanders were Generals Sherman, Thomas, Burn- 
side, and Hooker. (General Foster's column was after- 
ward added.) His corps commanders were as follows : — 

The Fourth Army Corps, General Granger ; the Ninth 
Army Corps, General Potter ; the Eleventh Army Corps, 
General Howard ; the Twelfth Army Corps, General Slo- 



THE OFFICERS AND THE FIELD. 



373 



cum ; the Fourteenth Army Corps, General Palmer ; the 
Fifteenth Army Corps, General J. A. Logan ; the Sixteenth 
Army Corps, General Hurlbut ; the Seventeenth Army 
Corps, General McPherson ; and the Twenty-third Army 
Corps, General Manson. 

His division and "brigade leaders were not inferior, 
while the regiments were of the "best fighting material in 
the world. 

The country embraced within the limits of this new 
command included the States of Michigan, Illinois, Indi- 
ana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Northern 
Alabama, and Northwestern Georgia. One glance at the 
map will therefore show what comprised General Grant' s 
Military Division of the Mississippi. 

The opposing forces were not less grand in their consti- 
tution. General Bragg' s army embraced his own veteran 
troops, and to that army were added Longstreet's and 
Hill's Corps from the Virginia rebel army. General 
Pemberton's army, which were said to be exchanged, 
were with Bragg. Joe Johnston had a co-operating force 
of thirty thousand men, in addition to which there was a 
small rebel force in Mississippi, consisting of one brigade 
of infantry at Newton Station, on the Southern Road, and 
a cavalry division of from five thousand to six thousand, 
operating between Jackson and the Big Black, under 
General S. D. Lee. 

The position of affairs will be seen at a glance. It 
must, however, not be forgotten that General Grant had 
under him the troops that had been sorely defeated at 
Chickamauga, and were at that time shut up in Chatta- 
nooga by a besieging force of the rebels. The enemy 
believed that they had this force securely in a trap, and 
when they heard of the change in the command they began 
to make light of it. One of their journalists remarked that 
the Union authorities had removed a hero (Rosecrans), and 
placed two fools (Grant and Thomas) in command. The 
President is reported to have said, that "if one fool like 
Grant can do as much work, and win as profitable victories 
as he, he had no objection to two of them, as they would 
surely wipe out the rebellion." 



374 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 



General Grant arrived in Nashville on the morning of 
October 21st. He was during the same evening introduced 
to the people by the Military Governor, but refused to 
make a speech. Having secured his communications, and 
ordered the regauging of the railroads, so that one continu- 
ous line of communication should exist between the Ohio 
River and Chattanooga, General Grant took his departure 
for that place, where he arrived on October 23d. 

The sad state of things in Chattanooga, after the new 
command, did not last long. 

General Grant, soon after his arrival, was riding with 
Quartermaster-General Meigs along the highways, border- 
ed with carcasses and skeletons, when they passed the de- 
caying body of a gigantic mule. "Ah, General," said 
Grant, with affected sadness, ' ' there lies a dead soldier of 
the Quartermasters Department.'' "Yes, General," re- 
sponded Meigs, with equal gravity ; "in him you see 'the 
ruling passion strong in death' exemplified ; for the old 
veteran has already assumed the offensive." 

Thus, like moonlight across black storm-clouds, break 
the humor and wit of great minds upon the grim aspect 
of war. 

After the battles of Chickamauga, the post on Lookout 
Mountain was abandoned by the Union troops, and was 
immediately taken possession of by the rebels. From this 
point they were enabled to shell the supply trains moving 
along the valley route toward Chattanooga from Bridge- 
port, compelling our army to take supplies along the 
mountain roads. 

To reopen the valley route was General Grant's pri- 
mary and most important design. He, therefore, while at 
^Nashville, communicated his plans to General Hooker, 
and when he arrived at Chattanooga, with the assistance 
of his chief-engineer, Brigadier- General W. F. Smith, at 
once set about the work. 

A letter, written October 26th, communicated the 
gratifying result : — 

"The reoccupation of Lookout and the reopening of 
the ' Southern line ' to Bridgeport have for some time been 
the chief aim of strategists in this department. A move- 



JEFF. DAVIS ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN. 



375 



ment of Major-General Hooker's troops from opposite 
Bridgeport, along the south bank of the Tennessee, through 
Shellmound and Whiteside, commenced a week ago. A 
large additional force, under Major-General Palmer — 
spared from the army without weakening our lines — 
joined Hooker on the march up Lookout Valley, and the 
combined forces effected a junction with Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Hazen's command last night near the foot of Look- 
out. The valley route to Bridgeport is now ours, and I 
am led to believe that movements in progress will give us 
possession of the mountain itself, and perhaps force an 
evacuation by Bragg' s whole army ere many weeks are 
gone." 

About this time, Jeff. Davis visited the fortress on the 
lofty summit, which seemed to defy attack. His vulture 
eye swept the circle of the magnificent view, covering a 
part of four States. And we may believe, with something 
like the exultation of Satan when he showed the Messiah 
the kingdoms of the earth, he remarked to General Pem- 
berton, when his gaze came back to General Grant' s arm} r , 
in the distance, working like beavers on their fortifica- 
tions : 

"I have them now, in just the trap I set for them." 

To which Lieutenant- General Pemberton, who was sit- 
ting on horseback beside him, replied, "Mr. Davis, you 
are commander-in-chief, and you are here. You think the 
enemy are in a trap, and can be captured by vigorous 
assault. I have been blamed for not having ordered a 
general attack on the enemy when they were drawing 
around me their lines of circumvallation at Yicksburg. 
Do you now order an attack upon those troops down there 
below us, and I will set you my life that not one man of 
the attacking column will ever come back across that 
valley, except as a prisoner." 

The brilliant success of these operations relieved Chat- 
tanooga of the prospective danger of starvation, and 
General Grant found time to prepare for his movements 
upon the enemy in his front. Stores of all kinds began to 
make their way into storehouse, and daily parades and 
drills took place in front of the works, within view of the 



376 LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



rebel pickets and sentries. Every tiling had settled down 
into its quiet routine, and even the generals appeared at 
their ease. 

General Grant, who had almost recovered his strength, 
occupied a delightful Chattanooga residence, and, with his 
"briar-wood pipe, walked to and fro up the streets of the 
town, unattended, many times unobserved, but at all 
times observing. Quartermaster- General Meigs had taken 
to a wall tent, from a regard for the fitness of things. His 
head-quarters were in the field, and soldiers in the field 
inhabit tents. Generals Thomas and Gordon Granger 
were workers, preparing their grand machine for the 
next campaign, their consultations often extending far into 
the night. 

But in the midst of this quiet lay a slumbering vol- 
cano. 

General Grant had determined he would have no ene- 
mies around him to report his movements to the rebels or 
to interfere with his plans ; therefore, previous to his 
making any advance upon the rebel positions, he issued 
the following order : — 

Head -Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, > 
In the Field, Chattanooga, Tenn., 1¥ov. 5, 1S63. > 

The habit of raiding parties of rebel cavalry visiting towns, villages, 
and farms where there are no Federal forces, and pillaging Union families, 
having become prevalent, department commanders will take immediate steps 
to stop the evil, or make the loss by such raids fall upon secessionists and 
secession sympathizers in the neighborhood where such acts are committed. 
For every act of violence to the person of an unarmed Union citizen, a 
secessionist will be arrested and held as hostage for the delivery of the of- 
fender. For every dollar's worth of property taken from such citizens, or 
destroyed by raiders, an assessment will be made upon secessionists of the 
neighborhood, and collected by the nearest military forces, under the 
supervision of the commander thereof, and the amount thus collected paid 
over to the sufferers. When such assessments cannot be collected in 
money, property useful to the Government may be taken at a fair valuation, 
and the amount paid in money by a disbursing officer of the Government, 
who will take such property upon his returns. Wealthy secession citizens 
will be assessed in money and provisions for the support of Union refugees 
who have been and may be driven from their homes and into our lines by 
the acts of those with whom secession citizens are in sympathy. All col- 
lections and payments under this order will be made through disbursing 



OPERATIONS AT CHATTANOOGA. 



377 



officers of the Government, whose accounts must show all money and prop- 
erty received under it, and how disposed of. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

This order lie carried out to the letter when the op- 
portunity offered. 

About the middle of November the head of General 
Sherman's column arrived at Chattanooga and formed a 
junction with the forces under General Thomas, on the 
right of the main army. 

Shortly before the time that General Sherman joined 
General Grant, the rebel General Longstreet made several 
attempts to flank the Union position several miles to the 
eastward of Chattanooga, with the intention of advancing 
into Tennessee and capturing Knoxville. The advanced 
forces of the Army of Eastern Tennessee had heretofore 
resisted Longstreet' s movement at the crossing of the Little 
Tennessee River ; but after General Burnside had com- 
municated with General Grant, Longstreet was allowed to 
advance upon Knoxville, the Union troops impeding his 
march as much as possible, and drawing him on with a 
show of resistance. The feint was well planned and finely 
carried out. 

On the 14th of November, General Longstreet, after 
crossing the Little Tennessee River, was attacked by a 
force of General Burnside'' s troops, who drove the rebel 
advance guard back upon their reserves, which were sta- 
tioned at about a mile north of the river bank. They then 
retreated, while the rebels crossed their whole force and 
moved toward Marysville. Our forces then fell back 
upon Lenoir, as if to hold the railroad at that place. 
Three times the rebels assaulted that position on Novem- 
ber 15th without success ; but the next morning the Union 
troops evacuated it and retreated to Campbell's Station. 
Here they again made a stand, and a fight ensued, lasting 
from before noon until dark. This detention of the rebels 
enabled us to secure our trains, which were sent within 
the defenses of Knoxville. Our troops once more fell 
back, stopped and repeated their resistance to the enemy, 
and after a fight again retreated in good order, until, on 



378 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

the 19th of November, Longstreet' s forces were before the 
city of Knoxville, which they began to invest — Burnside 
being safely within the works. 

General Grant was advised of the position of affairs, 
and, with his " we have them now where we want them," 
he prepared to move on the enemy. 

A plan was formed, by the commanding General, to 
raise the siege of Chattanooga and get possession of Look- 
out Mountain. This plan was submitted to his general 
officers, and finally adopted. An examination of the 
enemy's line showed that he had deliberately exposed 
himself to great danger. He had allowed a large portion 
of his army to go into East Tennessee, and he extended 
the remainder of his forces into lines almost as thin as a 
spider's thread. His exterior line upon Mission Ridge 
was nearly seven miles in extent, while his inner lines of 
rifle-pits and similar defenses running through the valleys 
were not less than five miles long. There were upon the 
line two points of importance to him ; the first, Missionary 
Ridge, being the key to his position, and Lookout Moun- 
tain, an elevation valuable to Bragg as a barrier to the 
LTnion troops. It was supposed the enemy would defend 
the former with vigor, as the latter could be held by a 
small force. General Grant was of the opinion, that, by 
attacking his flanks vigorously, forcing him to keep his 
line lengthened, and thus weakened, it would give a 
favorable opportunity to test the strength of the center. 
It was therefore decided that General Sherman, with three 
divisions of his own army, General Davis, of Palmer's 
corps, should move north of the river, to a point opposite 
the mouth of the Chickamauga, and at an early hour on 
the following morning throw a pontoon bridge across the 
Tennessee, and, under cover of artillery, cross and carry 
the heights of Missionary Ridge as far, at least, as Tunnel 
Hill. On the left rebel flank, General Hooker was to oper- 
ate with three divisions, his primary object being to hold 
the rebels there, but authorized, in case of an opportunity 
presenting itself, to take possession of Lookout Mountain. 
In the center, General Thomas was ordered to hold 
Granger and Palmer' s corps well in hand, to await an op- 




MAJ. &EI. G-EORG-E TL THOMAS, II S.A 



PLAN OF OPERATIONS DELAYED. 



379 



portunity to strike at the center, whenever in the opinion 
of General Grant the auspicious moment presented itself. 
General O. O. Howard's corps was to be moved to the 
north side of the river, so as to aid either Sherman or the 
center. But subsequently, at the suggestion of General 
Thomas, Howard was crossed into Chattanooga, and his 
corps held as a movable column in reserve. Such was the 
general plan of operations, subject, of course, to such 
modifications as the movements of the enemy might neces- 
sitate. 

This plan was to have been put in execution on Satur- 
day, November 21st, almost immediately after General 
Grant had ascertained that Longstreet was before Knox- 
ville ; but General Sherman failed to get into position on 
Friday, his delay being caused by heavy rains, and the 
partial destruction of the pontoon bridges by rafts floated 
down the river by the rebels. Indeed, he was prevented 
from getting up until the night of Monday, and only re- 
ported himself ready for work on Tuesday morning. 

The 23d of November came. It was Monday morning. 
The previous day, prayer and praise had been heard in 
camp. The chaplains, and other Christian workers for 
the spiritual good of the soldiers, had kindly spoken to 
them of the glorious "Captain of our salvation." The 
faces of brave men had been wet with tears, as they 
thought of home and the loved ones there. Many letters 
had been written with the feeling that they might be the 
last messages of affection from the field of conflict. 

The orders passed from General Grant's head-quarters 
to advance toward the Ridge, alive with vigilant enemies. 
The pre-eminent strategy of the Leader was apparent in the 
very method of opening the struggle. The columns 
marched from their works as if on parade. Banners were 
borne, and bands played, and the whole aspect of the em- 
battled host was that of ordinary review. The deceived foe 
looked down with comparative indifference, from hights 
five hundred feet above. But onward toward the rifle- 
pits, and to an advanced position, our forces pressed, till 
too late for the enemy to send to their camps for re-en- 
forcements. 



8S0 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Tuesday morning, November 24th, was gloomy, threat- 
ening rain, and until quite late our forces remained inactive. 
On the center, Granger's and Palmer's corps maintained 
the silence of the night just past, and only a few guns from 
Fort Wood disturbed the rebel center. The day was 
chosen for operations on the flanks, and for that purpose 
Hooker and Sherman began to move quite early. 

General Wood's splendid reconnoissance to learn the 
enemy' s movements and exact position, and the occupation 
of Orchard Knob, was the principal work of the day. 

Before sundown General Sherman had possession of 
three hills in semicircular form around Tunnel Hill, the 
end of Mission Ridge, between which and his position the 
railroad runs in a narrow valley. The enemy were in- 
trenched on Tunnel Hill. During all this day General 
Hooker's columns had been engaged. The hero's 
work was to move upon the rocky sides of old Lookout 
Mountain, bristling with the arms of the foe. The rebels 
occupied the west slope and the front or spur of the moun- 
tain, whose top is formed of perpendicular rocks about 
thirty feet high. By two paths the dizzy hight could be 
reached. One of these was through a gap, south of the 
river, held by the enemy ; the other by the Summertown 
Road, winding up the east side of the mountain, scaling the 
palisades by a steep and narrow cut. To get this road 
was General Hooker' s bold design. At eight o' clock in the 
morning his columns disappeared from the valley into the 
forests at the summit's base. Soon the head of the column 
pressed against the palisades stretching down the slope. 
He immediately formed in three parallel lines and ad- 
vanced upon the enemy's rear. The surprise was com- 
plete and bewildering. The rebels escaping upward were 
met with a fire from our skirmishers, who had already 
made the ascent. Met in flank and rear, they at length 
gave way, and retired to their breastworks on the east side 
of the mountain. 

It was now that the fruits of the strange movement of 
Hooker began to develop themselves. The Union line 
had moved around the spur of the mountain and on the 
east side with such rapidity, that the enemy stationed at 



GENERAL HOOKER'S MOVEMENT. 



081 



the foot of the hill and along the river had no time to 
escape, and our troops began to secure them by hundreds. 
Every jutting rock, every thicket of undergrowth, and 
many a hollow tree, on examination, disclosed their secrets 
in the shape of prisoners. Each regiment engaged seemed 
to have secured enough to have filled its ranks, and the 
provost-marshal, who appeared to take charge of them, 
soon found his hands full. The number thus captured, 
General Hooker estimated on the spot at two thousand, 
but on counting them it was found the exact number 
secured was only one thousand three hundred and sixty. 

Sending two regiments to hold the road which crosses 
the spur of the mountain from the east, General Hooker 
advanced the rest of his forces to the front line. It was no 
place to maneuver columns. Each man and company 
fought upon his and its "own hook." From Chattanooga 
nothing was visible save the misty smoke which enveloped 
and hid the mountain. But beneath this the combatants 
saw each other, and here they continued to fight with 
desperation until four o' clock, when there came a tide in 
Hooker' s fortune which he did not fail to take at the flood. 

The skirmish line was enabled, under cover of the 
trees which grew along that part of the ridge, to advance 
much nearer the rebel line than those in the immediate 
front of the enemy and the open field. It was also upon 
the flank of the position ; and the weakness of the enemy 
having compelled him to contract his left, a lodgment was 
found very near their rifle-pits. General Hooker, upon 
being informed of this, at four o' clock ordered a charge of 
the line, and through a heavy and rapid fire, kept up for 
five long minutes— and minutes are sometimes very long — 
the men dashed forward upon, over, and into the aban- 
doned pits. The enemy had seen the long line of steel 
that glittered even amid the rain which was pouring upon 
them, and they couldn't stand that. They also saw troops 
upon their left flank, and, filled with that holy horror 
which old soldiers have for "flank movements," they 
couldn't stand that. They fell back, abandoning works, 
artillery, and position, but still holding the important 
Summertown Road. 



382 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



But the enemy, though flanked and overpowered, did 
not appear disposed to leave us in quiet possession of his 
works and guns. He hastily re-formed his lines and 
prepared to assault in turn. The Unionists had hardly 
occupied the captured position, or been able to remove the 
captured guns, before the enemy returned to the attack. 
He pressed forward with great vigor, and gained ground 
very rapidly at first, but found in his way the same 
obstacle of the open field, while he did not have the ad- 
vantage of superior numbers. As soon as it came to 
close work, his rapidly advancing lines were halted very 
suddenly by the terrible fire which was now poured in 
upon him. He continued, however, to fire rapidly, and 
with some execution upon our line, but would have been 
ultimately repulsed without other assistance, had not a 
very serious obstacle presented itself. 

Men in line of battle very soon expend their ammuni- 
tion. In a skirmishing engagement, like that they were 
then having, they dispose of it even more rapidly. We 
were nearly out of ammunition, and the commanding 
officer had serious fears he would have to relinquish pos- 
session of the works if his cartridge-boxes were not soon 
replenished. General Hooker, anticipating this, had sent 
for ammunition at an early hour after getting possession of 
the road across the spur of the mountain ; but the difficul- 
ties of the uncertain pontoon bridges had prevented his 
getting any. He again asked for it, and this time it came, 
and at the opportune moment. The men were beginning 
to fall out of line occasionally, entirely out of ammunition ; 
for when a man puts his hand behind him, and into his 
cartridge-box, to find no cartridges there, a good deal of 
his confidence, if not courage, oozes out at the ends of his 
fingers, with which he thought to grasp the death-dealing 
messenger. The line was beginning to be thinned by men 
who had fired their sixty rounds, when the ammunition 
which General Thomas had sent sprang across Chattanooga 
Creek. The enemy had begun to perceive his advantage 
and to push forward, when this ammunition marched up 
the hill. The enemy had even ventured upon a shout of 
assured victory, when this ammunition deployed into line 



THE ENEMY REPULSED. 



383 



and double-quicked across the open field, and sprang into 
the vacated places. There were one hundred and twenty 
thousand rounds of it, strapped upon the backs of as good 
men as had stayed with Thomas at Chickamauga, and in 
ten minutes after it reached the works it had repulsed 
the enemy ! The re- enforcements which so opportunely 
arrived consisted of a brigade of the Fourteenth Corps, 
and upon it devolved the remainder of the labor of the 
day. It was dark by the time the enemy were repulsed, 
and those who stayed in Chattanooga describe this fight as 
the most magnificent view of the grand panorama of war 
which we have just witnessed. It was just beginning to 
be dark enough to see the flash of the muskets, and still 
light enough to distinguish the general outline of the con- 
tending masses. The mountain was lit up by the fires of 
the men in the second line, and the flash of musketry and 
artillery. An unearthly noise rose from the mountain, as 
if the old monster were groaning with the punishment the 
pigmy combatants inflicted upon him as well as upon each 
other. And during it all, the great guns on the summit 
continued, as in rage, to bellow defiance at the smaller guns 
of Moccasin Point, which, with lighter tone, and more 
rapidly, as if mocking the imbecility of their giant enemy, 
continued to fire till the day roared itself into darkness. 

The enemy fell back after his repulse to a point 
covering the Summertown ascent to the summit of the 
mountain, and for the remainder of the night confined him- 
self to the defense of that defile and to the evacuation of 
the mountain. 

Subsequently, about midnight, the enemy, to cover 
his retreat, made an assault upon the Union lines, but, 
though they did some execution, they were handsomely 
repulsed. 

General Hooker made a great reputation by this 
attack with the men of the Army of the Cumberland. As 
his lines would advance after night, the men could see his 
fires springing up and locating his new line. As each line 
became developed by these fires, those on the mountain 
could plainly distinguish the cheers of their comrades 
below. One of the expressions used by a private who 



384 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT. 



was watching tlie fires from Orchard Knob lias already 
grown into the dignity of a camp proverb. On seeing the 
line of camp-fires advanced to Carlin' s bouse, and beyond 
the rifle-pits of the enemy, a soldier in General Wood's 
command sprang up from his reclining position on Orchard 
Knob, and exclaimed : "Look at old Hooker ! Don't he 
fight for 6 keeps V " 

The sequel of the fight — the morning's handsome epi- 
logue to the night's drama — is already known. Hooker 
found the enemy gone, and the assault of Lookout Moun- 
tain had not been in vain. 

The following is General Grant' s modest dispatch with 
regard to the operations of the second day : — 

Chattanooga, November 24—6 p. m. 
Major-General H. W. Hallecx, General-in-Chief, Washington, D. 0. 
The fighting to-day progressed favorably. 

General Sherman carried the end of Missionary Eidge, and his right 
is now at the tunnel, and his left at Chickamauga Creek. 

The troops from Lookout Valley carried the point of the mountain, and 
now hold the eastern slope and point high up. 

I cannot yet tell the amount of casualties, but our loss is not heavy. 

General Hooker reports two thousand prisoners taken, besides which a 
small number have fallen into our hands from Missionary Eidge. 

U. S. Grant, Major General. 

General Grant says nothing about himself in the 
struggle, although, notwithstanding his crippled condition, 
he kept the field under his ej^e almost constantly, within 
cannon shot of the enemy. 

We add the rebel dispatch concerning the contest : — 

Missiok Eidge, November 2±, 1863. 

To General S. Cooper : 

We have had a prolonged struggle for Lookout Mountain to-day, and 
sustained considerable loss in one division. Elsewhere the enemy has only 
maneuvered for position. 

Braxton Bragg, General. 

The third day brought a repetition of the varying for- 
tunes and awfully sublime scenes of warfare, unrivaled in 
the annals of the past. 

Near Fort Buckner, the Union Brigade, under a rocky 
ridge which protected them from bullets, met a shower of 
stones hurled upon them from above. 



CXIOX AND REBEL DISPATCHES. 



3S5 



Notwithstanding General Grant's accident at Carroll- 
ton, no better horseman drew the rein in either army. It 
was a common thing on this "bloody field of Chattanooga, 
to see his steed, touched with the spur, dash off at a pace 
that left his staff stringing along behind, u like the tail of 
a kite." He went with the speed of the wind from one 
part of the hail-swept plain to another. 

"When our victorious troops had fairly routed the as- 
tonished Bragg on Missionary Ridge, a lady, whose resi- 
dence was within his lines, in alarm said to him : "What 
are you going to do with me, general?'' Replied the 
bragging rebel: ''Lord, madam ! the Yankees will never 
dare to come up here.*' 

Relating the incident to our u boys," she added, blub- 
bering: "And it was not fifteen minutes before you 
were all around here." 

The sweep of General Hooker's column around the 
spur of Lookout, surprising the enemy, till he reached the 
dizzy hights and fought above the clouds of the misty day, 
was a day of heroism which alone would have made the 
struggle and his name immortal. 

You have here the brief dispatches of the opposing 
generals : 

Chattaxooga, Xovember 25, 1S63— 7.15 p. m. 

Major-General H. W. Hallece:, General-in-Chief: 

Although the battle lasted from early dawn till dark this evening. I 
believe I am not premature in announcing a complete victory over Bragg. 

Lookout Mountain top, all the rifle-pits in Chattanooga Valley, and 
Missionary Pwidge entire, have been carried, and are now held by us. 

U. S. Geaxt, Major-General. 

CHiCKAiiAUGA, Xotembtr 25, 1S63. 
General S. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-General : 

After several unsuccessful assaults on our lines to-day. the enemy car- 
ried the left center about four o'clock. The whole left soon gave way in 
considerable disorder. The right maintained its ground, and repelled every 
attack. I am withdrawing all to this point. Beaxtox Beagg. 

Wrote Quartermaster-General Meigs to Secretary 
Stanton : 

" Bragg' s remaining troops left early in the night, and 
the battle of Chattanooga, after days of maneuvering and 



386 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



fighting, was won. The strength of the rebellion in the 
center is broken. Bnrnside is relieved from danger in 
East Tennessee. Kentucky and Tennessee are rescued. 
Georgia and the Southeast are threatened in the rear, and 
another victory is added to the chapter of ' Unconditional 
Surrender Grant.' 

" To-night the estimate of captures is several thousand 
prisoners and thirty pieces of artillery. 

" Our loss for so great a victory is not severe. 

" Bragg is firing the railroad as he retreats toward Dal- 
ton. Sherman is in hot pursuit. 

" To-day I viewed the battle-field, which extends for 
six miles along Missionary Ridge, and for several miles on 
Lookout Mountain. 

" Probably not so well-directed, so well-ordered a battle 
has taken place during the war. But one assault was re- 
pulsed ; but that assault, by calling to that point the rebel 
reserves, prevented them repulsing any of the others. 

" A few days since, Bragg sent to General Grant a flag 
of truce, advising him that it would be prudent to remove 
any non-combatants who might be still in Chattanooga. 
~No reply has been returned ; but the combatants having 
removed from the vicinity, it is probable that non-combat- 
ants can remain without imprudence." 

It is related of General Scott, the old veteran and hero 
of the last war with England (which, we fear, will not long 
be the last), that in conversation with a gentleman in 
office at Washington, about the victories, he expressed his 
surprise at General Grant' s success. He remarked : 

" General Grant has shown more military skill than 
any other general on our side. And I am the more sur- 
prised, as I can only remember him in the Mexican war 
as a young lieutenant of undoubted courage, but giving 
no promise whatever of any thing beyond ordinary 
abilities." 

Among the heroes who fell at Chattanooga, was Col- 
onel 0' Meara, of the Irish Legion. When General Grant 
heard that the body was coffined for its homeward jour- 
ney, he hastened to the spot where it lay. Standing 
beside it, he said : 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 



3S7 



"Lift the coffin-lid, that I may take a last look at the 
gallant colonel of the Irish Legion." 

"He was touched at the sight of one whom he had 
honored and publicly thanked before he had been two 
months in the Army of the Tennessee. O'Meara's defense 
of the trestlework, a few miles north of Holly Springs, 
Miss., when Van Dorn made a raid there in December, 
1862, and which saved Grant' s army from starvation, was 
never forgotten by the General. The spectators were 
moved at the sad and touching farewell of the Commander of 
the Department of the Mississippi from the corpse of a young 
Irish soldier, who had forfeited his life to the belief that 
' the highest and best duty of all, native or foreign born, 
was to stand by the flag which is the hope of the exile, the 
emblem of philanthropy, and the ensign of the American 
peox^le.' " 

Of the great battles which took place in the vicinity of 
Chattanooga, no better account could be given than that 
which is to be found in the following official report of the 
Commanding General : — 

Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, i 
In Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 23, 1S63. j 

Colonel J. G. Kelton, Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C. : 

Colonel : — In pursuance of General Orders Iso. 337, War Department, 
of date, "Washington, October 16, 1863, delivered to me by the Secretary of 
War, at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 18th of the same month, I assumed 
command of the "Military Division of the Mississippi," comprising the 
Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee, and tele- 
graphed the order assuming command, together with the order of the War 
Department referred to, to Major-General A. E. Burnside, at Knoxville, 
and Major-General W. S. Rosecrans, at Chattanooga. 

My action in telegraphing these orders to Chattanooga, in advance of 
my arrival there, was induced by information furnished me by the Secre- 
tary of War of the difficulties with which the Army of the Cumberland 
had to contend, in supplying itself over a long, mountainous, and almost im- 
passable road, from Stephenson, Alabama, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and 
his fears that General Rosecrans would fall back to the north side of the 
Tennessee River. To guard further against the possibility of the Secretary's 
fears, I also telegraphed to Major-General Thomas on the 19th of October, 
from Louisville, to hold Chattanooga at all hazards, and that I would be 
there aa soon as possible. To which he replied on the same date, " I will 
holdtho town till we starve." 



388 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Proceeding directly to Chattanooga, I arrived there on the 23d of Octo- 
ber, and found that General Thomas had, immediately on being placed in 
command of the Department of the Cumberland, ordered the concentra- 
tion of Major-General Hooker's command at Bridgeport, preparatory to 
securing the river and main wagon-road between that place and Brown's 
Ferry, immediately below Lookout Mountain. The next morning after my 
arrival at Chattanooga, in company with Thomas and Brigadier-General W. 
F. Smith, Chief Engineer, I made a reconnoissance of Brown's Ferry, and 
the hills on the south side of the river and at the mouth of Lookout Valley. 
After the reconnoissance, the plan agreed upon was for Hooker to cross at 
Bridgeport to the south side of the river, with all the force that could be 
spared from the railroad, and move on the main wagon-road, by way of 
Whitesides, to "Wauhatchie, in Lookout Valley. Major- General J. M. 
Palmer was to proceed, by the only practicable route north of the river, 
from his position opposite Chattanooga to a point on the north bank of the 
Tennessee River and opposite Whitesides, then to cross to the south side, to 
hold the road passed over by Hooker. In the mean time, and before the 
enemy could be apprised of our intention, a force under the direction of 
Brigadier-General W. F. Smith, Chief Engineer, was to be thrown across 
the river at or near Brown's Ferry, to seize the range of hills at the mouth 
of Lookout Valley, covering the Brown's Ferry road, and orders were given 
accordingly. 

It was known that the enemy held the north end of Lookout Valley 
with a brigade of troops, and the road leading around the foot of the moun- 
tain from their main camps in Chattanooga Valley to Lookout Valley. 
Holding these advantages, he would have had but little difficulty in con- 
centrating a sufficient force to have defeated or driven Hooker back. To 
remedy this, the seizure of the range of hills at the mouth of Lookout Val- 
ley, and covering the Brown's Ferry road, was deemed of the highest 
importance. This, by the use of pontoon bridges at Chattanooga and 
Brown's Ferry, would secure to us, by the north bank of the river, across 
Moccasin Point, a shorter line by which to re-enforce our troops in Look- 
out Valley, than the narrow and tortuous road around the foot of Lookout 
Mountain afforded the enemy for re-enforcing his. 

The force detailed for the expedition consisted of four thousand men, 
under command of General Smith, Chief Engineer ; eighteen hundred of 
which, under Brigadier-General W. B. Hazen, in sixty pontoon boats, con- 
taining thirty armed men each, floated quietly from Chattanooga, past the 
enemy's pickets, to the foot of Lookout Mountain, on the night of the 27th 
of October, landed on the south side of the river at Brown's Ferry, sur- 
prised the enemy's pickets stationed there, and seized the hills covering the 
ferry, without the loss of a man killed, and but four or five wounded. The 
remainder of the force, together with the materials for a bridge, was 
moved by the north bank of the river across Moccasin Point to Brown's 
Ferry without attracting the attention of the enemy, and before day dawn- 
ed the whole force was ferried to the south bank of the river, and the 
almost inaccessible bights, rising from Lookout Valley at its outlet to the 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 389 



river and below the mouth of Lookout Creek, were secured. By ten 
o'clock a. m. an excellent pontoon bridge was laid across the river at 
Brown's Ferry, thus securing to us the end of the desired road nearest the 
enemy's forces, and a shorter line over which to pass troops, if a battle 
became inevitable. Positions were taken up by our troops from which 
they could not have been driven except by vastly superior forces, and then 
only with great loss to the enemy. Our artillery was placed in such a 
position as to completely command the roads leading from the enemy's 
main camps in Chattanooga Valley to Lookout Valley. 

On the 28th, Hooker emerged into Lookout Valley at Wauhatchie, by 
the direct road from Bridgeport, by way of Whitesides to Chattanooga, 
with the Eleventh Army Corps, under Major-General Howard, and Geary's 
division of the Twelfth Army Corps, and proceeded to take up positions for 
the defense of the road from Whitesides, over which he had marched, and 
also the road leading from Brown's Ferry to Kelly's Ferry, throwing the 
left of Howard's corps forward to Brown's Ferry. The division that start- 
ed, under command of Palmer, for Whitesides, reached its destination, and 
took up the position intended in the original plan of this movement. These 
movements, so successfully executed, secured to us two comparatively good 
lines by which to obtain supplies from the terminus of the railroad at 
Bridgeport, namely: the main wagon-road by way of Whitesides, Wauhat- 
chie, and Brown's Ferry, distant but twenty-eight miles, and the Kelly's 
Ferry and Brown's Ferry roads, which, by the use of the river from Bridge- 
port to Kelly's Ferry, reduced the distance for wagoning to but eight miles. 

Up to this period our forces at Chattanooga were practically invested, 
the enemy's lines extending from the Tennessee River above Chattanooga 
to the river at and below the point of Lookout Mountain below Chatta- 
nooga, with the south bank of the river picketed to near Bridgeport, his 
main force being fortified in Chattanooga Valley, at the foot of and on Mis- 
sion Ridge and Lookout Mountain, and a brigade in Lookout Valley. True, 
we held possession of the country north of the river, but it was from sixty 
to seventy miles over the most impracticable roads to carry supplies. The 
artillery horses and mules had become so reduced by starvation that they 
could not have been relied on for moving any thing. An attempt at retreat 
must have been with men alone, and with only such supplies as they could 
carry. A retreat would have been almost certain annihilation, for the 
enemy, occupying positions within gunshot of and overlooking our very 
fortifications, would unquestionably have pursued our retreating forces. 
Already more than ten thousand animals had perished in supplying half 
rations to the troops by the long and tedious route from Stevenson and 
Bridgeport to Chattanooga, over Waldron's Ridge. They could not have 
been supplied another week. 

The enemy was evidently fully apprised of our condition in Chattanooga, 
and of the necessity of our establishing a new and shorter line by which to 
obtain supplies, if we would maintain our position ; and so fully was he 
impressed with the importance of keeping from us these lines — lost to him 
by surprise, and in a manner he little dreamed of — that, in order to regain 



390 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



possession of them, a night attack was made by a portion of Longstreefs 
forces on a portion of Hooker's troops (Geary's division of the Twelfth 
Corps), the first night after Hooker's arrival in the valley. This attack 
failed, however, and Howard's corps, which was moving to the assistance 
of Geary, finding that it was not required by him, carried the remaining 
hights held by the enemy west of Lookout Creek. This gave us quiet 
possession of the lines of communication heretofore described, south of the 
Tennessee River. Of these operations I cannot speak more particularly, 
the sub-reports having been sent to "Washington without passing through 
my hands. 

By the use of two steamboats, one of which had been left at Chatta- 
nooga by the enemy, and fell into our hands, and one that had been built 
by us at Bridgeport and Kelly's Ferry, we were enabled to obtain supplies 
with but eight miles of wagoning. The capacity of the railroad and steam- 
boats was not sufficient, however, to supply all the wants of the army, but 
actual suffering was prevented. 

Ascertaining from scouts and deserters that Bragg was detaching Long- 
street from the front, and moving him in the direction of Knoxville, Ten- 
nessee, evidently to attack Burnside, and feeling strongly the necessity of 
some move that would compel him to retain all his forces and recall those 
he had detached, directions were given for a movement against Mission 
Ridge, with a view to carrying it, and threatening the enemy's communica- 
tion with Longstreet, of which I informed Burnside by telegraph on the 
7 th of November. After a thorough reconnoissance of the ground, how- 
ever, it was deemed utterly impracticable to make the move until Sherman 
could get up, because of the inadequacy of our force, and the condition of 
the animals then at Chattanooga ; and I was forced to leave Burnside for 
the present to contend against superior forces of the enemy until the arri- 
val of Sherman, with his men and means of transportation. In the mean 
time, reconnoissances were made and plans matured for operations. Dis- 
patches were sent to Sherman, informing him of the movement of Long- 
street, and the necessity of his immediate presence at Chattanooga. 

On the 14th of November, 1883, I telegraphed to Burnside as fol- 
lows : — 

" Your dispatch and Dana's just received. Being there, you can tell 
better how to resist Longstreet's attack than I can direct. With your 
showing, you had better give up Kingston at the last moment, and save the 
most productive part of your possessions. Every arrangement is now made 
to throw Sherman's force across the river, just at and below the mouth of 
Chickamauga Creek. As soon as it arrives, Thomas will attack on his left 
at the same time, and together it is expected to carry Mission Ridge, and 
from there push a force on to the railroad, between Cleveland and Dalton. 
Hooker will at the same time attack, and, if he can, carry Lookout Moun- 
tain. The enemy now seems to be looking for an attack on his left flank. 
This favors us. To further confirm this, Sherman's advance division will 
march direct from Whitesides to Trenton. The remainder of his force will 
pass over a new road just made from Whitesides to Kelly's Ferry, this 



EEPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 



391 



being concealed from the enemy, and leave him to suppose the whole force 
is going up Lookout Valley. Sherman's advance has only just reached 
Bridgeport. The rear will only reach there on the 16th. This will bring 
it to the 19th as the earliest day for making the combined movement, as 
desired. Inform me if you think you can sustain yourself until that time. 
I can hardly conceive of the enemy breaking through at Kingston, and 
pushing for Kentucky. If they should, however, a new problem would be 
left for solution. Thomas has ordered a division of cavalry to the vicinity 
of Sparta. I will ascertain if they have started, and inform you. It will 
be entirely out of the question to send you ten thousand men ; not because 
they cannot be spared, but how could they be fed after they got one day 
east of here ? U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

"To Major- General A. E. Buenside." 

On the 15th, having received from the General-in-chief a dispatch of date 
the 14th, in reference to Burnside's position, the danger of his abandonment 
of East Tennessee, unless immediate relief was afforded, and the terrible mis- 
fortune such a result would be to our arms, and also dispatches from Mr. 
0. A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, and Colonel Wilson of my staff, 
sent at the instance of General Burnside, informing me more fully of the 
condition of affairs, as detailed to them by him, I telegraphed him as fol- 
lows : — 

"Chattanooga, November 15, 1863. 
" I do not know how to impress on you the necessity of holding on to 
East Tennessee in strong enough terms. According to the dispatches of 
Mr. Dana and Colonel Wilson, it would seem that you should, if pressed to 
do it, hold on to Knoxville and that portion of the valley you will neces- 
sarily possess, holding to that point. Should Longstreet move his whole 
force across the Little Tennessee, an effort should be made to cut his pon- 
toons on that stream, even if it sacrificed half the cavalry of the Ohio 
Army. By holding on, and placing Longstreet between the Little Tennes- 
see and Knoxville, he should not be allowed to escape with an army capa- 
ble of doing any thing this winter. I can hardly conceive the necessity of 
retreating from East Tennessee. If I did at all, it would be after losing 
most of the army, and then the necessity would suggest the route. I will 
not attempt to lay out a line of retreat. Kingston, looking at the map, I 
thought of more importance than any one point in East Tennessee. But, 
my attention being called more closely to it, I can see that it might be 
passed by, and Knoxville and the rich valley about it possessed, ignoring 
that place entirely. I should not think it advisable to concentrate a force 
near Little Tennessee to resist the crossing, if it would be in danger of cap- 
ture, but I would harass and embarrass progress in every way possible, 
reflecting on the fact that the Army of the Ohio is not the only army to 
resist the onward progress of the enemy. 

"TJ. S. Geant, Major-General. 

" To Major-General A. E. Buenside." 



392 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Previous reconnoissances, made first by Brigadier-General W. F. 
Smith, Chief Engineer, and afterward by Generals Thomas, Sherman, and 
myself, in company with him, of the country opposite Chattanooga and 
north of the Tennessee River, extending as far east as the mouth of the 
South Chickamauga and the north end of Mission Ridge, so far as the same 
could be made from the north bank of the river without exciting suspicions 
on the part of the enemy, showed good roads from Brown's Ferry up the river 
and back of the first range of hills opposite Chattanooga, and out of view of 
the enemy's positions. Troops crossing the bridge at Brown's Ferry could 
be seen, and their numbers estimated by the enemy ; but not seeing any 
thing further of them as they passed up in rear of these hills, he would 
necessarily be at a loss to know whether they were moving to Knoxville, 
or held on the north side of the river for future operations at Chattanooga. 
It also showed that the north end of Mission Ridge was imperfectly 
guarded, and that the banks of the river, from the mouth of South Chicka- 
mauga Creek westward to his main line in front of Chattanooga, were 
watched only by a small cavalry picket. This determined the plan of 
operations indicated in my dispatch of the 14th to Burnside. 

Upon further consideration — the great object being to mass all the 
forces possible against one given point, namely, Mission Ridge, converging 
toward the north end of it — it was deemed best to change the original 
plan, so far as it contemplated Hooker's attack on Lookout Mountain, 
which would give us Howard's corps of his command to aid in this pur- 
pose ; and on the 18th the following instructions were given Thomas : 

"All preparations should be made for attacking the enemy's position on 
Mission Ridge by Saturday at daylight. Not being provided with a map 
giving names of roads, spurs of the mountain, and other places, such 
definite instructions can not be given as might be desirable. However, the 
general plan, you understand, is for Sherman, with the force brought with 
him strengthened by a division from your command, to effect a crossing of 
the Tennessee River just below the mouth of Chickamauga — his crossing 
to be protected by artillery from the hights on the north bank of the 
river (to be located by your Chief of Artillery), and to secure the hights 
from the northern extremity to about the railroad tunnel, before the enemy 
can concentrate against him. You will co-operate with Sherman. The 
troops in Chattanooga Valley should be well concentrated on your left 
flank, leaving only the necessary force to defend the fortifications on the 
right and center, and a movable column of one division in readiness to 
move wherever ordered. This division should show itself as threateningly 
as possible on the most practicable line for making an attack up the valley. 
Your effort then will be to form a junction with Sherman, making your 
advance well toward the northern end of Mission Ridge, and moving as 
near simultaneously with him as possible. The junction once formed, and 
the Ridge carried, communications will be at once established between the 
two armies, by roads on the south bank of the river. Further movements 
will then depend on those of the enemy. Lookout Valley, I think, will 
be easily held by Geary's division, and what troops you may still have then 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 393 



belonging to the old Army of the Cumberland. Howard's corps can then 
be held in readiness to act either with you at Chattanooga or with Sher- 
man. It should be marched on Friday night to a position on the north 
side of the river, not lower down than the first pontoon bridge, and then 
held in readiness for such orders as may become necessary. All these 
troops will be provided with two days' cooked rations in haversacks, and 
one hundred rounds of ammunition on the person of each infantry soldier. 
Special care should be taken by all officers to see that ammunition is not 
wasted or unnecessarily fired away. You will call on the Engineer 
Department for such preparations as you may deem necessary for carrying 
your infantry and artillery over the creek. 

"U. S. Geant, Major- General. 
" To Major-General Geoege EL Thomas.'' 

A copy of these instructions was furnished Sherman, with the following 
communication : 

"Inclosed herewith I send you a copy of instructions to Major-General 
Thomas. You having been over the ground in person, and having heard 
the whole matter discussed, further instructions will not be necessary for 
you. It is particularly desirable that a force should be got through to the 
railroad between Cleveland and Dalton, and Longstreet thus cut off from 
communication with the South ; but, being confronted by a large force 
here, strongly located, it is not easy to tell how this is to be effected, until 
the result of our first effort is known. I will add, however, what is not 
shown in my instructions to Thomas, that a brigade of cavalry has been 
ordered here, which, if it arrives in time, will be thrown across the Ten- 
nessee above Chickamauga, and may be able to make the trip to Cleveland, 
or thereabouts. 

"U, S. Geant, Major-General. 
" To Major-General W. T. Sheeman." 

Sherman's forces were moved from Bridgeport by way of Whitesides — 
one division threatening the enemy's left flank, in the direction of Trenton 
— crossing at Brown's Ferry, up the north bank of the Tennessee, to near 
the mouth of South Chickamauga, where they were kept concealed from 
the enemy until they were ready to force a crossing. Pontoons for throw- 
ing a bridge across the river were built and placed in North Chickamauga, 
near its mouth, a few miles farther up, without attracting the attention of 
the enemy. It was expected we would be able to effect the crossing on 
the 21st of November; but, owing to heavy rains, Sherman was unable to 
get up until the afternoon of the 23d, and then only with General Morgan 
L. Smith's, John E. Smith's, and Hugh Ewing's divisions of the Fifteenth 
Corps, under command of Major-General Frank P. Blair, of his army. The 
pontoon bridge at Brown's Ferry having been broken by the drift conse- 
quent upon the rise in the river, and rafts sent down by the enemy, the 
other division — Osterhaus's — was detained on the south side, and was, on 
the night of the 23d, ordered, unless it could get across by 8 o'clock the 



39-1 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



next morning, to report to Hooker, who was instructed, ia this event, to 
attack Lookout Mountain, as contemplated in the original plan. 

A deserter from the rebel army, who came into our lines on the night 
of the 22d of November, reported Bragg falling back. The following 
letter from Bragg, received by flag of truce> on the 20th, tended to confirm 
this report: 

" Head-Quarters Army of Tennessee, 1 
" In the Field, November 20, 1S63. ) 

"Major-General TJ. S. Geant, commanding United States Forces at 
Chattanooga : 

" General : — As there may be still some non-combatants in Chattanooga, 
I deem it proper to notify you that prudence would dictate their early with- 
drawal. 

" I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

"Beaxton Beagg, General commanding." 

Not being willing that he should get his army off in good order, 
Thomas was directed, early on the morning of the 23d, to ascertain the 
truth or falsity of this report, by driving in his pickets, and making him 
develop his lines. This he did with the troops stationed at Chattanooga, 
and Howard's corps (which had been brought into Chattanooga because 
of the apprehended danger to our pontoon bridges from the rise in the 
river, and the enemy's rafts), in the most gallant style, driving the enemy 
from his first line, securing to us what is known as "Indian Hill," or 
"Orchard Knoll," and the low range of hills south of it. These points 
were fortified during the night, and artillery put in position on them. The 
report of this deserter was evidently not intended to deceive, but he had 
mistaken Bragg's movements. It was afterward ascertained that one 
division of Buckner's corps had gone to join Longstreet, and a second 
division of the same corps had started, but was brought back in conse- 
quence of our attack. 

On the night of the 23d of November, Sherman, with three divisions 
of his army, strengthened by Davis's division of Thomas's, which had been 
stationed along the north bank of the river, convenient to where the cross- 
ing was to be effected, was ready for operations. At an hour sufficiently 
early to secure the south bank of the river, just below the mouth of 
South Chickamauga, by dawn of day, the pontoons in North Chickamauga 
were loaded with thirty armed men each, who floated quietly past the 
enemy's pickets, landed, and captured all but one of the guard, twenty in 
number, before the enemy was aware of the presence of a foe. The 
steamboat Dunbar, with a barge in tow, after having finished ferrying 
across the river the horses procured from Sherman, with which to move 
Thomas's artillery, was sent up from Chattanooga to aid in crossing artil- 
lery and troops, and by daylight of the morning of the 26th of November 
eight thousand men were on the south side of the Tennessee, and fortified 
in rifle-trenches. By 12 o'clock m., the pontoon bridges across the Tennessee 
. and Chickamauga were laid, and the remainder of Sherman's force crossed 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 



395 



over; and at half-past 3 p. m. the whole of the northern extremity of 
Mission Ridge, near the railroad tunnel, was in Sherman's possession. 
During the night he fortified the position thus secured, making it equal, 
if not superior in strength, to that held by the enemy. 

By three o'clock of the same day, Colonel Long, with his brigade of 
cavalry, of Thomas's army, crossed to the south side of the Tennessee, and 
to the north of South Chickamauga Creek, and made a raid on the enemy's 
lines of communication. He burned Tyner's Station, with many stores, 
cut the railroad at Cleveland, captured near a hundred wagons and over 
two hundred prisoners. His own loss was small. 

Hooker carried out the part assigned to him for this day equal to the 
most sanguine expectations. "With Geary's division (Twelfth Corps), and 
two brigades of Stanley's division (Fourth Corps) of Thomas's army, and 
Osterhaus's division (Fifteenth Cerps) of Sherman's army, he scaled the 
western slope of Lookout Mountain, drove the enemy from his rifle-pits on 
the northern extremity and slope of the mountain, capturing many prison- 
ers, without serious loss. 

Thomas having done on the 23d, with his troops in Chattanooga, what 
was intended for the 24th, bettered and strengthened his advanced posi- 
tions during the day, and pushed the Eleventh Corps forward along the 
south bank of the Tennessee River across Citico Creek, one brigade of 
which, with Howard in person, reached Sherman just as he had completed 
the crossing of the river. 

When Hooker emerged in sight of the northern extremity of Lookout 
Mountain, Carlin's brigade, of the Fourteenth Corps, was ordered to cross 
Chattanooga Creek, and form a junction with him. This was effected 
late in the evening, and after considerable fighting. 

Thus, on the night of the 24th, our force maintained an unbroken 
line, with open communications from the north end of Lookout Mountain 
through Chattanooga Valley to the north end of Mission Ridge. 

On the morning of the 25th, Hooker took possession of the mountain- 
top with a small force, and with the remainder of his command, in pursu- 
ance of orders, swept across^ Chattanooga Valley, now abandoned by the 
enemy, to Rossville. In this march he was detained four hours building a 
bridge across Chattanooga Creek. From Rossville he ascended Mission 
Ridge, and moved southward toward the center of that now shortened 
line. 

Sherman's attack upon the enemy's most northern and most vital point 
was vigorously kept up all day. The assaulting column advanced to the very 
rifle-pits of the enemy, and held their position firmly and without wavering. 
The right of the assaulting column being exposed to the danger of being 
turned, two brigades were sent to its support. These advanced in the 
most gallant manner over an open field on the mountain-side to near 
the works of the enemy, and lay there partially covered from fire for some 
time. The right of these two brigades rested near the head of a ravine or 
gorge in the mountain-side, which the enemy took advantage of, and sent 
troops covered from view below them, and to their right rear. Being 



396 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



unexpectedly fired into from this direction, they fell back across the open 
field below them, and re-formed in good order in the edge of the timber. The 
column which attacked them was speedily driven, to its intrenchments by 
the assaulting column proper. 

Early on the morning of the 25th, the remainder of Howard's corps 
reported to Sherman, and constituted a part of his forces during that day's 
battle, the pursuit and subsequent advance for the relief of Knoxville. 

Sherman's position not only threatened the right flank of the enemy, 
but — from his occupying a line across the mountain, and to the railroad 
bridge across Chickamauga Creek — his rear and stores at Chickamauga 
Station. This caused the enemy to mass heavily against him. This move- 
ment of his being plainly seen from the position I occupied on Orchard 
Knoll, Baird's division of the Fourteenth Corps was ordered to Sherman's 
support ; but, receiving a note from Sherman informing me that he had all 
the force necessary, Baird was put in position on Thomas's left. 

The appearance of Hooker's column was at this time anxiously looked 
for and momentarily expected, moving north of the Ridge, with his left in 
Chattanooga Valley, and his right east of the Ridge. His approach was 
intended as the signal for storming the Ridge in the center with strong 
columns; but the time necessarily consumed in the construction of the 
bridge near Chattanooga Creek detained him to a later hour than was ex- 
pected. Being satisfied from the latest information from him that he must 
by this time be on his way from Rossville, though not yet in sight, and dis- 
covering that the enemy, in his desperation to defeat or resist the progress 
of Sherman, was weakening his center on Mission Ridge, determined me to 
order the advance at once. Thomas was accordingly directed to move for- 
ward his troops, constituting our center — Baird's division (Fourteenth 
Corps), Wood's and Sheridan's divisions (Fourth Corps), and Johnson's 
division (Fourteenth Corps), with a double line of skirmishers thrown out, 
followed in easy supporting distance by the whole force — and carry the 
rifle-pits at the foot of Mission Ridge, and, when carried, to re-form his 
lines in the rifle-pits and advance to the top of the Ridge. 

These troops moved forward and drove the enemy from the rifle-pits at 
the base of the Ridge like bees from a hive — stopped but a moment until the 
whole were in line, and commenced the ascent of the mountain from right 
to left almost simultaneously, following closely the retreating enemy without 
further orders. They encountered a fearful volley of grape and canister 
from nearly thirty pieces of artillery, and musketry from well-filled rifle- 
pits on the summit of the Ridge. Not a waver, however, was seen in all 
that long line of brave men. Their progress was steadily onward until the 
summit was in their possession. In this charge the casualties were remark- 
ably few for the fire encountered. I can account for this only on the 
theory that the enemy's surprise at the audacity of such a charge caused 
confusion, and purposeless aiming of their pieces. 

The nearness of night, and the enemy still resisting the advance of 
Thomas's left, prevented a general pursuit that night, but Sheridan pushed 
forward to Mission Mills. 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 397 



The resistance on Thomas's left being overcome, the enemy abandoned 
his position near the railroad tunnel in front of Sherman, and by 12 o'clock 
at night was in full retreat ; and the whole of his strong positions on Look- 
out Mountain, Chattanooga Valley, and Mission Ridge were in our possession, 
together with a large number of prisoners, artillery, and small arms. 

Thomas was directed to get Granger, with his corps, and detachments 
enough from other commands, including the force available at Kingston, 
to make 20,000 men, in readiness to go to the relief of Knoxville, upon 
the termination of the battle of Chattanooga ; these troops to take with 
them four days' rations, and a steamboat, loaded with rations, to follow up 
the river. 

On the evening of the 25th of November, orders were given to both 
Thomas and Sherman to pursue the enemy early the next morning with all 
their available force, except that under Granger, intended for the relief of 
Knoxville. 

On the morning of the 26th, Sherman advanced by way of Chicka- 
mauga Station, and Thomas's forces, under Hooker and Palmer, moved on 
the Rossville road toward Grayville and Ringgold. 

The advance of Thomas's forces reached Ringgold on the morning of 
the 27th, when they found the enemy in strong position in the gorge and 
on the crest of Taylor's Ridge, from which they dislodged him after a 
severe fight, in which we lost heavily in valuable officers and men, and 
continued the pursuit that day until near Tunnel Hill, a distance of twenty 
miles from Chattanooga. 

Davis's division (Fourteenth Corps) of Sherman's column reached 
Ringgold about noon of the same day. Howard's corps was sent by Sher- 
man to Red Clay, to destroy the railroad between Dalton and Cleveland, 
and thus cut off Bragg's communication . with Longstreet, which was suc- 
cessfully accomplished. 

Had it not been for the imperative necessity of relieving Burnside, I 
would have pursued the broken and demoralized retreating enemy as long 
as supplies could have been found in the country. But my advices were 
that Burnside's supplies could only last until the 3d of December. It was 
already getting late to afford the necessary relief. I determined, therefore, 
to pursue no farther. Hooker was directed to hold the position he then 
occupied until the night of the 30th, but to go no farther south at the ex- 
pense of a fight. Sherman was directed to march to the railroad crossing 
of the Hiawassee, to protect Granger's flank until he was across that stream, 
and to prevent further re-enforcements being sent by that route into East 
Tennessee. 

Returning from the front on the 28th, I found that Granger had not 
yet got off, nor would he have the number of men I had directed. Besides, 
he moved with reluctance and complaint. I therefore determined, not- 
withstanding the fact that two divisions of Sherman's forces had marched 
from Memphis, and had gone into battle immediately on their arrival at 
Chattanooga, to send him with his command ; and orders in accordance 
therewith were sent him at Calhoun, to assume command of the troops 



398 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



with Granger, in addition to those with him, and proceed with all possible 
dispatch to the relief of Burnside. 

General Elliott had been ordered by Thomas, on the 26th of Novem- 
ber, to proceed from Alexandria, Tennessee, to Enoxville, with his cavalry 
division, to aid in the relief of that place. 

The approach of Sherman caused Longstreet to raise the siege of 
Enoxville and retreat eastward on the night of the 6th of December. 
Sherman succeeded in throwing his cavalry into Enoxville on the night of 
the 3d. 

Sherman arrived in person at Enoxville on the 5th, and after a con- 
ference with Burnside in reference to " organizing a pursuing force large 
enough to overtake the enemy, and beat him or drive him out of the 
State," Burnside was of the opinion that the corps of Granger, in conjunc- 
tion with his own command, was sufficient for that purpose, and on the 
7th addressed to Sherman the following communication : 

" Knoxville, December 7, 1863. 

"To Major-General Sheemaf: 

"I desire to express to you and to your command my most hearty 
thanks and gratitude for your promptness in coming to our relief during 
the siege of Enoxville, and I am satisfied that your approach served to 
raise the siege. The emergency having passed, I do not deem, for the 
present, any other portion of your command but the corps of General 
Granger necessary for operation in this section; and inasmuch as General 
Grant has weakened the forces immediately with him' in order to relieve 
us, thereby rendering portions of General Thomas's less secure, I deem it 
advisable that all the troops now here, except those commanded by Gen- 
eral Granger, should return at once to within supporting distance of the 
forces operating against Bragg's army. In behalf of my command, I again 
desire to thank you and your command for the kindness you have done us. 

"A. E. Buexside, Major-General." 

Leaving Granger's command at Enoxville, Sherman with the remain- 
der of his forces returned by slow marches to Chattanooga. 

I have not spoken more particularly of the result of the pursuit of the 
enemy, because the more detailed reports accompanying this do the subject 
justice. For the same reason I have not particularized the part taken by 
corps and division commanders. 

To Brigadier-General TV". F. Smith, Chief Engineer, I feel under more 
than ordinary obligations for the masterly manner in which he discharged 
the duties of his position, and desire that his services be fully appreciated 
by higher authorities. 

The members of my staff discharged faithfully their respective duties, 
for which they have my warmest thanks. 

Our losses in these battles were 757 killed, 4,529 wounded, and 330 
missing; total, 5,616. The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was 
probably less than ours, owing to the fact that he was protected by his 
intrenchments, while our men were without cover. At Enoxville, how- 



REPORT OF BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA. 



399 



ever, his loss was many times greater than ours, making his entire loss at 
the two places equal to, if not exceeding, ours. We captured 6,142 pris- 
oners, of whom 239 were commissioned officers; 40 pieces of artillery, 69 
artillery carriages and caissons, and 7,000 stand of small arms. 

The Armies of the Cumberland and the Tennessee, for their energy 
and unsurpassed bravery in the three days' battle of Chattanooga and the 
pursuit of the enemy, their patient endurance in marching to the relief 
of Knoxville ; and the Army of the Ohio, for its masterly defense of Knox- 
ville, and repeated repulses of Longstreet's assaults upon that place, are 
deserving of the gratitude of their country. 

I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient ser- 
vant, TJ. S. Geant, 

Major-General U. S. Army. 



General Grant, to visit the outposts of his department, 
left Chattanooga for Nashville December 18th. 



400 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE ENEMY RETREATING.— GENERAL GRANT RECEIVES THE RANK 
AND COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT-GENERAL. 

The Pursuit of the Enemy. — Reprisals and Skirmishes. — Battle at Ringgold.— 
Longstreet at Knoxville. — His Retreat. — Congratulations by the President. — 
Thanksgiving. — General Hardee succeeds Bragg. — General Grant's Health. — 
General Scott's Opinion of him. — Expressions of Popular Regard. — The Pro- 
position and Discussion in Congress of the Rank of Lieutenant-General. — Mr 
Washburne's Speech. — The Bill Passed. — General Grant Appointed to the Com- 
mand. 

The great struggle was over — the siege of Chattanooga 
was raised ; but still the beaten rebels must not be allowed 
to gather their remnants together within any long day's 
march of the battle-field. A pursuit of their flying col- 
umns was ordered, and to Generals Sherman, Hooker, and 
Palmer was assigned the task of completing the rebel 
discomfiture. 

The pursuing forces went forward in the clear morning 
of a splendid day, animated by the great victories of the 
recent conflict, falling upon the flank of the flying columns. 
At ten o'clock, Chickamauga Depot was reached, and 
found in flames. Although fifty thousand dollars' worth 
of property was destroyed, the amount of commissary 
stores which fell into our hands was large. 

For three days the chase was marked with skirmishes, 
and picking up stragglers. At Pigeon Ridge the rebels 
made a stand, and opened their artillery. Our columns 
emerged from the woods into the open fields with flying 
banners, presenting a beautiful spectacle in the cloudless 
rays of the noon-day sun — with no enemy in sight. Charg- 
ing up the hights, they soon sent the rebels on their path 
of retreat. General Sherman was in command. 

Friday, November 27th, Hooker's column advanced 
along the Rossville road toward Ringgold, a small town 
of twenty-five hundred inhabitants, the county seat of 



RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. 



Catoosa county, Georgia, and is situated in front of Ring- 
gold Gap, at the foot of White Oak Mountain Ridge. It 
is in the midst of wildly romantic scenery, although itself 
a dingy, dilapidated place in general appearance. 

The decisive moment came at last. The grand move- 
ment was made. Slowly our men advanced, and slowly 
the rebels retired toward the gap and up the mountain 
slope. Our artillery, too, kept up a steady fire, almost 
immediately silencing that of the enemy. Osterhaus's 
division occupied the center, one brigade of Geary's was 
on the extreme left, and the other two on the extreme 
right. After much patient effort, we outflanked the rebels 
on the right and left of the hills, gained these, and drove 
the remaining rebels from the Gap, and held the latter 
position. In the final movements the rebels retreated in 
the most disorderly manner. We took about three hun- 
dred prisoners. 

After the enemy were driven through and from the 
Gap, we established our lines in the next valley beyond. 
The enemy fell back to Tunnel Gap, situated in the suc- 
ceeding ridge to that of White Oak. 

After Sherman made a junction with Palmer, on Friday 
morning, the Eleventh Army Corps, under command of 
Major- General Howard, was sent off to the left to take 
Parker's Gap, this being situated on the enemy's right, 
and the second gap from Ringgold Gap in the same ridge. 
The position was taken and occupied without opposition, 
the enemy' s scouting parties falling back without firing. 
During the battle of Ringgold, the Eleventh Corps was in 
a position almost in the enemy's rear, and we could at any 
time have turned their right flank. 

A portion of the Eleventh Corps pressed on to the line 
of the Dalton and Cleveland Railroad, reaching Red Clay 
Station about dark. 

"The object in destroying the railroad line at Red 
Clay was to prevent Longstreet from using it to make a 
junction with Bragg. Another point was, that if the cav- 
alry failed of accomplishing its object at Cleveland, we 
would carry out the design at Red Clay. 

General Grant had his head-quarters in the town 

26 



4')3 LIFE A^D CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



of Ringgold on November 28. The General was much 
pleased with the success of his plans, spoke freely on the 
subject, and was of opinion that this campaign had been 
successful to an almost extraordinary degree, and had been 
fruitful in results of the most unqualifiedly gratifying char- 
acter. It was decided not to pursue the enemy farther,, as 
more important operations were afoot. 

The rebels retreated as far as Dalton, Georgia, and find- 
ing the Union troops did not pursue farther than Ring- 
gold, there turned and made a stand. 

General Grant, by taking possession of Red Clay, 
Cleveland, and Chattanooga, thus breaking the rebel rail- 
road triangle, the corners of which rest on Dalton, Cleve- 
land, and Chattanooga, compressed the principal artery of 
the heart of the rebel Confederacy, and smote it in its 
most vital part. 

General Longs treet learned the reason why he was 
allowed to besiege Knoxviile. The news of Hooker s 
mountain climbing, and of Yankee flags on Missionary 
Ridge, dispelled his dream of success. The proud rebel 
was exasperated, and determined to save his name from 
sharing the disgrace of Chattanooga. He therefore, on 
November 29, 1863, made an assault upon Fort Sanders and 
the other works around Knoxviile. The assault proved a 
failure, and, long before he could recover from the effects 
of the repulse, he found our columns were gathering 
around him, and, if he did not soon withdraw; he would be 
encircled by them. 

General Foster's column was advancing from the north, 
and General Granger's, with other forces under General 
Sherman, from Chattanooga. This movement caused the 
withdrawal of troops from the pursuit of the rebels bej^ond 
Ringgold, Georgia. 

General Sherman's cavalry arrived at Knoxviile on 
December 3, and on the next night General Longstreet 
raised the siege of that place, retreating eastward toward 
Virginia, pursued by both Foster's and Sherman's cav- 
alry. 

December 7, it was -telegraphed to Washington that 
Knoxviile had been relieved and re-enforced by Granger's 



THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICTORIES. 



403 



corps, and that Longstreet was retreating. On the same 
day President Lincoln issued the following proclamation 
of thanksgiving : — 

ExECtrrrvE Mansion, \ 
Washington, D. C, December !, 1863. > 

Reliable information being received that the insurgent force is retreat- 
ing from East Tennessee, under circumstances rendering it probable that 
the Union forces cannot hereafter be dislodged from that important posi- 
tion, and esteeming this to be of high national consequence, I recommend 
that all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their 
places of worship, and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty 
God for this great advancement of the national cause. 

A. Lincoln. 

The President also sent a dispatch to Major- General 
Grant : — 

Washington, December 8. 

Major-General Geant: 

Understanding that your lodgment at Chattanooga and Knoxville is 
now secure, I wish to tender you and all under your command my more 
than thanks — my profoundest gratitude for the skill, courage, and perse- 
verance with which you and they, over so great difficulties, have effected 
that important object. God bless you all ! 

A. Lincoln. 

The above was embodied in an order by General 
Grant, and so read to every regiment in his command. 

In reference to this brief but decisive campaign, Gen- 
eral Halleck added the following supplementary remarks 
to his annual report : — 

Head-Quarters of the Army, { 
Washington, D. C, December 6, 1S63. » 

In compliance with your instructions, I submit the following summary 
of the operations of General Grant's army since my report of the 15th 
ultimo : — 

It appears from the official reports which have been received here, that 
our loss in the operations of the 27th, 28th, and 29th of October, in re- 
opening communications on the south side of the Tennessee River, from 
Chattanooga to Bridgeport, was seventy-six killed, three hundred and 
thirty-nine wounded, and twenty-two missing; total, four hundred and 
thirty-seven. The estimated loss of the enemy was over fifteen hundred. 

As soon as General Grant could get up his supplies, he prepared to 
advance upon the enemy, who had become weakened by the detachment 
of Longstreet's command against Knoxville. General Sherman's army 
moved up the north side of the Tennessee River, and during the nights of 



404 



LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the 23d and 24th of November established pontoon bridges, and crossed to 
the south side, between Citico Creek and Chickamauga. On the afternoon 
of the 23d, General Thomas's forces attacked the enemy's rifle-pits between 
Chattanooga and Citico Creek. The battle was renewed on the 24th along 
the whole line. Sherman carried the eastern end of Missionary Ridge up 
to the tunnel, and Thomas repelled every attempt of the enemy to regain 
the position which he had lost at the center; while Hooker's force in 
Lookout Valley crossed the mountain and drove the enemy from its 
northern slope. 

On the 25th, the whole of Mission Ridge, from Rossville to the Chicka- 
mauga, was, after a desperate struggle, most gallantly carried by our 
troops, and the enemy was completely routed. 

Considering the strength of the rebel position, and the difficulty of 
storming his intrenchments, the battle of Chattanooga must be considered 
the most remarkable in history. Not only did the officers and men exhibit 
great skill and daring in their operations on the field, but the highest praise 
is due to the commanding general, for his admirable dispositions- for dis- 
lodging the enemy from a position apparently impregnable. Moreover, by 
turning his right flank, and throwing him back upon Ringgold and Dalton, 
Sherman's forces were interposed between Bragg and Longstreet so as to 
prevent any possibility of their forming a junction. 

Our loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, is reported at about four 
thousand. We captured over six thousand prisoners, besides the wounded 
left in our hands, forty pieces of artillery, five or six thousand small arms, 
and a large train. The enemy's loss in killed and wounded is not known. 

While Generals Thomas and Hooker pushed Bragg's army back into 
Georgia, General Sherman, with his own and General Granger's forces, was 
sent into East Tennessee, to prevent the return of Longstreet, and to relieve 
General Burnside, who was then besieged in Knoxville. We have reliable 
information that General Sherman has successfully accomplished his object, 
and that Longstreet is in full retreat toward Virginia. But no details have 
been received with regard to Sherman's operations since he crossed the 
Hiwassee, nor of Burnside's defense of Knoxville. It is only known that 
every attack of the enemy on that place was successfully repulsed. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. W. Halleok, General-in-Chief. 

Honorable E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

On December 5, 1863, General Burnside, the com- 
mander at Knoxville, issued a congratulatory order to Ms 
troops in reference to the raising of the siege, which had 
lasted about three weeks. 

While Washington was all excitement over the mag- 
nificent results of Grant' s campaign, General Scott said to 
an official, with whom the old veteran fell into a very 
unreserved talk, that General Grant' s operations displayed 



GENERAL HARDEE SUCCEEDS GENERAL BRAGG. 405 



more military skill than any other general had exhibited 
on onr side ; and he was the more surprised and mystified 
at it, as he could only remember him in the Mexican war 
as a young lieutenant of undoubted courage, but giving no 
promise whatever of any thing beyond ordinary abilities. 

The providential men for the hour of trial were not 
those who first attracted the popular admiration, nor was 
the course of mighty events according to the order of 
human wisdom. 

General Bragg was removed from his command for his 
defeat at Chattanooga, and was succeeded by General 
Hardee. When this change was announced at General 
Grant's head-quarters, he quietly remarked: "He is my 
choice." He was still suffering so seriously from his fall 
at New Orleans, at this time, that his thin and stooping 
form awakened fears for his recovery ; while he gave no 
other signs of weakness or weariness. 

It was reported from Chattanooga on December 7th, 
that General Grant had captured, from the commencement 
of the war up to that date, no less than four hundred and 
seventy- two cannon and ninety thousand prisoners, with 
small arms innumerable. 

The following remarks are reported to have been writ- 
ten by Colonel Ely S. Parker— Indian Sachem and Chief 
of the Tonawanda tribe and Seneca Nation of Indians, and 
who became a member of General Grant' s staff— in relation 
to the conduct of the commanding general during the bat- 
tles around Chattanooga : 

"I need not describe to you the recent battle of Chatta- 
nooga. The papers have given every possible detail con- 
cerning it. I may only say that I saw it all, and was in 
the five days' iighi. Of General Grant's staff only one 
was wounded, a Lieutenant Towner, Assistant Chief of 
Artillery, whose parents formerly lived at Batavia, New 
York, but now of Chicago. It has been a matter oi\ 
universal wonder in this army that General Grant himself 
was not killed, and that no more accidents occurred to his 
staff, for the General was always in the front (his staff 
with him, of course), and perfectly heedless of the storm 
of hissing bullets and screaming shell flying around him. 



408 



LIFE AST) CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



His apparent want of sensibility does not arise from heed- 
lessness, heartlessness, or vain military affectation, but 
from a sense of the responsibility resting upon him when 
in battle. When at Ringgold, we rode for half a mile in 
the face of the enemy, under an incessant fire of cannon 
and musketry ; nor did we ride fast, but upon an ordinary 
trot ; and not once do I belieye did it enter the General's 
mind that he was in danger. I was by his side and 
watched him closely. In riding that distance we were 
going to the front, and I could see that he was studying 
the positions of the two armies, and, of course, planning 
how to defeat the enemy, who was here making a most 
desperate stand, and was slaughtering our men fearfully. 
After defeating and driving the enemy here, we returned to 
Chattanooga. 

" Another feature in General Grant's personal move- 
ments is, that he requires no escort beyond his staff, so 
regardless of danger is he. Roads are almost useless to 
him, for he takes short cuts through fields and woods, and 
will swim his horse through almost any stream that ob- 
structs his way. ISTor does it make any difference to him 
whether he has daylight for his movements, for he will 
ride from breakfast until two o' clock in the morning, and 
that too without eating. The next day he will repeat it, 
until he finishes his work. ISTow, such things come hard 
upon the staff, but they have learned how to bear it." 

The intelligence of General Grant' s victorious mountain 
campaign in Tennessee and Georgia was announced in 
Washington on the day of the first assembling of the 
United States Congress for 1863-4. Mr. Washburne, the 
representative for Galena, in the House, immediately gave 
notice of the introduction of two bills, one c i to revive the 
grade of Lieutenant- General of the army," and the other 
"to provide that a medal be struck for General Grant, and 
that a vote of thanks be given him and the officers of his 
army." 

It did not require either any very acute mental penetra- 
tion, or a knowledge of the intimate relations of Congress- 
man Washburne with General Grant, to understand the 
meaning and bearing of the above bill for the revival of 



THANKS OF CONGRESS. 



407 



the grade of Lieutenant- General. The object was, the 
elevation of Major- General Grant to that position. 

It was not the intention of those who desired the 
further promotion of General Grant to take him away from 
his command, and substitute him for the General-in-Chief. 
It was their conviction that he would be most useful in the 
field, but exercise, at the same time, from the held, the 
functions of a General-in-Chief. 

Mr. Washburne's motion relative to the joint thanks of 
Congress and the gold medal did not require long de- 
liberation. The members of both Houses felt that General 
Grant deserved the thanks of the nation ; and when that 
resolution was brought up, it was passed by both Con- 
gress and Senate without opposition, and received the 
President's signature within ten days of its introduction. 
It then became the first law of the session of 1863-4. 

The following is a copy of the official document : — 

LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Passed at the First Session of the Thirty-eighth Congress. 

[Public Resolution No. 1.] 

Joint Resolution of thanks to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant and thg 
officers and soldiers who have fought under his command during this 
rebellion ; and providing that the President of the United States shall 
cause a medal to be struck, to be presented to Major- General Grant in 
the name of the people of the United States of America. 
Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of 
Congress be and they hereby are presented to Major-General Ulysses S. 
Grant, and through him to the officers and soldiers who have fought under 
his command during this rebellion, for their gallantry and good conduct in 
the battles in which they have been engaged ; and that the President of 
the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with 
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be presented to Major- 
General Grant. 

Sec. 2. xVnd be it further resolved, That, when the said medal shall 
have been struck, the President shall cause a copy of this joint resolution 
to be engrossed on parchment, and shall transmit the same, together with 
the said medal, to Major-General Grant, to be presented to him in tho 
name of the people of the United States of America. 

Sec. 3. And be it further resolved, That a sufficient sum of money to 



408 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropriated out of any money in 
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

SOHTTYLEK COLFAX, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
H. Hamlix, 
Vice-President of the United States and 

President of the Senate. 

Approved December 17, 1863. 

Abeaham Lincoln. 

The designs were at once made for the medal. The one 
by Leutze was selected by the committee having the 
matter in charge: "The obverse of the medal was to 
consist of a profile likeness of the hero, surrounded by a 
wreath of laurels ; his name and the year of his victories 
inscribed upon it, and the whole surrounded by a galaxy 
of stars. The design for the reverse was original, ap- 
propriate, and beautiful. It was the figure of Fame seated 
in a graceful attitude on the American eagle, which, with 
outspread wings, seems preparing for flight. In her right 
hand she held the symbolical trump, and in her left a 
scroll, on which were inscribed the names of the gallant 
chiefs various battles, viz. : Corinth, Yicksburg, Missis- 
sippi River, and Chattanooga. On her head was a helmet, 
ornamented in Indian fashion, with feathers radiating from 
it. In front of the eagle, its breast resting against it, was 
the emblematical shield of the United States. Just under- 
neath this group, their stems crossing each other, were 
single sprigs of the pine and the palm, typical of the North 
and South. Above the figure of Fame, in a curved line, 
the motto, 'Proclaim Liberty throughout the Land.' 
The edge was surrounded, like the obverse, with a circle 
of stars, of a style peculiar to the Byzantine period, and 
rarely seen except in illuminated MSS. of that age. These 
stars were more in number than the existing States — of 
course, including those of the South — thereby suggesting 
further additions in the future to the Union." 

Other honors were paid him by societies electing him 
honorary life member. 

We select a few instances of this hearty appreciation. 

At the anniversary of the Missionary Society of the 
Cincinnati Conference, held in 1883, that body elected 



TESTIMONIALS OF GRATEFUL REGARD. 



409 



General Grant an honorary member. Rev. J. F. Maiiay 
communicated the fact to the General, and the following is 
his reply : 

Chattanooga, December 7, 1863. 

Rev. F. Maelay, Secretary of Society : 

Deae Sie : — Through you permit me to express my thanks to the society 
of which you are the honored secretary, for the compliment they have 
seen fit to pay me by electing me one of its members. 

I accept the election as a token of earnest support, by members of the 
Methodist Missionary Society of the Cincinnati Conference, to the cause of 
our country in this hour of trial. 

I have the honor to be, very truly, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General U. S. A. 

The following interesting correspondence explains itself: 

" Morristown, December 9, 1863. 

To Major-General II. S. Geant : 

Deae Sie : — I have the pleasure of informing you that the church of 
which I am pastor, the Methodist Episcopal Church of this town, highly 
appreciating your services for your country, and rejoicing in the victories 
which God has wrought out through you and your noble army, and pray- 
ing that you may be spared to see the end of this accursed rebellion, have 
contributed one hundred and fifty dollars ($150) to constitute you a life 
director of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Will you please direct where we shall send your Certificate ? May God 
Almighty bless and keep you, and continue to crown your arms with vic- 
tory and triumph ! 

With sincere admiration and respect, 

I am, dear General, yours truly, 

Lewis R. Dunn, 
Pastor of the M. E. Church, Morristown, K J. 

Head-Quarters Mil. Dist. of the Miss., j 
Chattanooga, Tenn., December, 16, 1863. ) 

To the Rev. Lewis R. Dijnn, 

Pastor of M. E. Church, Morristown, 1ST. J. : 
Sie :— -In reply to your letter of December 19th, to Major-General U. S. 
Grant, he directs me to express his gratitude to the Christian people of 
Morristown, for their prayerful remembrance of him before the throne of 
the Most High, and to thank them, through you, for the honor conferred 
upon him. Be good enough to send his Certificate of Membership to Mrs. 
U. S. Grant, Louisville, Kentucky. 

Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, 

J. H. Wilson, Brigadier-General. 



On the thirteenth day of January, 1864, the following 



410 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



resolution, moved "by Mr. Reed, was adopted "by the Legis- 
lature of the State of New York : 

Resolved, That the thanks of the people of this State be 
tendered to General Grant and his Army for their glorious 
victories in the valley of the Mississippi, and the still more 
glorious victory at Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain, 
and that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to 
General Grant. 

The Legislature of the State of Ohio also presented him 
with a vote of thanks. 

A handsome pair of revolvers from Coif s arm manu- 
facturing establishment was presented to General Grant : 

The handles are of black horn, beautifully polished, 
and the barrels, magazines, and other steel parts are elab- 
orately inlaid with pure gold, which is beaten into a design 
previously cut out of the steel. The other ornaments, 
guard, &c, are of solid gold. The pair are inclosed in a 
handsome rosewood box, lined with velvet, and accompa- 
nied by all the tools, &c, belonging to them — the cartridge- 
boxes, &c, being manufactured of silver. These pistols 
equal any pair that has ever left the establishment. 

The bill introduced by Mr. Washburne for the revival 
of the grade of Lieutenant- General of the United States 
Army, having in the due course of business been read and 
referred to the Militaiy Committee of the House of Con- 
gress, was slightly amended, and came up on February 
1st, 1864, for final action of that portion of the law-mak- 
ing power. 

The amended bill introduced was thus worded : 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States of America in Congress assem- 
bled, That the grade of Lieutenant-General be, and the 
same is hereby, revived in the Army of the United States 
of America ; and the President is hereby authorized, when- 
ever he shall deem it expedient, to appoint, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, a commander of 
the army, to be selected, during war, from among those 
officers in the military service of the United States, not 
below the grade of Major- General, most distinguished for 
courage, skill, and ability ; and who, being commissioned 



REVIVING THE RAXK OF LIEUTE^AOT-GENERAL. 411 



as Lieutenant-General, shall be authorized, under the 
direction of the President, to command the armies of the 
United States. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Lieutenant- 
General appointed as hereinbefore provided shall be 
entitled to the pay, allowances, and staff specified in the 
fifth section of the act approved May 28th, 1798 ; and also 
the allowances described in the sixth section of the act 
approved August 23d, 1842, granting additional rations to 
certain officers : Provided, That nothing in this bill con- 
tained shall be construed in any way to affect the rank, 
pay, or allowances of Winfield Scott, lieutenant-general by 
brevet, now on the retired list of the army. 

Mr. Farnsworth opened the debate by a recommenda- 
tion that the bill should be passed that morning. 

Mr. Garfield, formerly chief of staff to General Rose- 
crans, having opposed the motion, 

Mr. Farnsworth addressed the House as follows : 

Mr. Speaker, the argument of my colleague of the Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs, who has just taken his seat, is a 
twofold argument. I understand his first argument to be, 
that the war has not progressed far enough, and that we 
have not given our generals in the field a sufficient term of 
trial, to enable the President to select with proper judgment 
a man upon whom to confer the rank of lieutenant-general. 

His second argument is, that the General toward whom 
this legislation is directed is so great and so successful a 
general, that it would be dangerous to take him from the 
field and put him in command of the entire Army of the 
United States. 

In answer to the first branch of the gentleman' s argu- 
ment, I have only this to say : we are now very near to the 
close of the third year of this war, and while it is true that 
many generals in the army may be up to-day and down 
to-morrow, and that their fortunes fluctuate, it is not true 
of the general to whom this legislation applies. His star 
has been steadily rising. He has been growing greater 
and greater day by day, rising from an obscure position, 
scarcely known out of the county in which be resided. By 
his masterly ability he now stands, without saying any 



412 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



thing to the disparagement of other generals, head and 
shoulders oyer every other general in the Army of the 
United States. He has been tried, tried long enough ; and 
if his star were to go down to-morrow, he has still done 
enough to entitle him to this prize. 

After some further debate, Mr. Hoss submitted the fol- 
lowing amendment, to be added to the act : 

And that we respectfully recommend the appointment 
of Major- General U. S. Grant for the position of lieutenant- 
general. 

On this amendment a spirited debate ensued in favor 
of General Grant, when Mr. Washburne took the floor 
and made an eloquent speech in commendation of General 
Grant, and in favor of the bill. 

After a few brief remarks from other members, Mr. 
Ross' s amendment was carried, by 117 votes against 19. 
The bill so amended was finally passed, and sent to the 
Senate for their action. 

Owing to some disagreements in the Senate, the bill went 
to a committee of conference, in which it was amended, 
making the appointment of Lieutenant- General to be dur- 
ing the pleasure of the President, and on the 1st of 
March, 1864, President Lincoln approved the bill, and on 
the next day sent in to the Senate his message, appointing, 
as Lieu tenant- General of the armies of the United States. 
Major-General Ulysses S. Grant. The nomination was 
unanimously confirmed by the Senate. 

Shortly after the battles of Chattanooga, General Grant 
was sitting in his head-quarters at Nashville, with his 
feet comfortably stretched before the fire, while he enjoyed 
himself with pufimg and chewing his cigar, with that com- 
pleteness of repose which strangers to his habits have 
called a dullness of facial expression. Quartermaster- 
General Meigs sat near him, while General W. F. Smith, 
who had but a short time before made himself quite a rep- 
utation with Grant, by the skillful operations in Lookout 
Valley, in October, 1863, paced the floor, apparently ab- 
sorbed in thought, Meigs, noticing this, broke the silence, 
which had lasted for several minutes, by asking : 

"What are you thinking about, ' Baldy ' V 



A SCENE IN CAMP. 



413 



On receiving no reply from the absorbed officer, he 
turned to Grant, and remarked with a laugh : 
" Baldy is studying strategy." 

Grant removed his cigar from his lips, and said, with a 
serious air: "I don't believe in strategy, in the popular 
understanding of the term. I use it to get up just as close 
to the enemy as practicable, with as little loss as possible." 

" And what then?" asked Meigs. 

" Then? ' Up, Guards, and at 'em !' " replied the Gen- 
eral, with more than usual spirit ; then again lapsing into 
his accustomed taciturnity. 



414 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XX. 

A NEW CAMPAIGN.— NEW HONORS. 

A new Campaign. — Congressional Action. — Deserters from the Enemy. — Loyal Citi- 
zens protected. — Army Supplies received. — General Grant inspects his Depart- 
ment at St Louis. — Popular Demonstrations of Admiration. — Characteristics. — 
General Grant is notified of bis appointment to the Rank of Lieutenant-General. 
— Interesting Correspondence with Sherman on the subject. — His Tour of Inspec- 
tion. — Enters upon his new Duties. 

While these scenes were transpiring in Congress, and 
6 'all was quiet on the Potomac," General Grant was 
maturing plans for a more "brilliant campaign. He for- 
warded to Washington his views of the mode of conduct- 
ing it, to insure the earliest and most complete suppression 
of the rebellion. The recommendation of a concerted 
movement of all our armies under one policy, and, so far 
as practicable, under one direction, was the principal fea- 
ture of General Grant's project. 

Congress was ready to forward General Grant' s plans, 
and Senator Howe, of Wisconsin, offered the following 
joint resolution on the 7th of January, 1864, under the 
plea of releasing the prisoners within the rebel lines : 

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 
in Congress assembled : 

Sec. 1. That the President of the United States is here- 
by authorized and requested to call out and arm one 
million of volunteers, to serve for the period of ninety days 
unless sooner discharged, and to be employed to cany 
food and freedom to every captive held in rebel prisons, 
and to plant the flag of the United States upon every 
prison they occupy. 

Sec 2. That the President be requested to assign 
Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to the command of the 
forces raised under this call, together with such of the 
forces now in the field as may be joined with them ; and he 



REBEL DESERTIONS. 



415 



is hereby authorized to detail for the subordinate com- 
mands, in the forces to be raised under the authority of 
these resolutions, such officers or privates now in the field 
as he may deem best qualified therefor ; or he may assign 
to such commands any person or persons "who may volun- 
teer under the same authority ; provided, however, that 
any officer or private, now in the military service of the 
United States, who may be detailed to any such command 
by authority hereby, shall receive no additional pay for 
such substituted service ; and no volunteer, under the 
same authority, "who shall be detailed to any such com- 
mand, shall receive more pay than the pay of a private. 

Many of the rebel troops, despairing of the establish- 
ment of a Southern Confeneracy, and seeing that whenever 
General Grant moved, victory was his constant attendant, 
began to desert from their ranks and come within the 
Union lines. To prevent them from being retaken and 
summarily punished by the rebel authorities, the Com- 
manding General issued an order for their disposition and 
protection. 

Head-Quarteks Military Division of the Mississippi, \ 
in ras Field, Chattanooga, Tenn., December 12, 1S63. J 

To obtain uniformity in the disposition of deserters from the Confeder- 
rate armies coming within this military division, the following order is 
published : 

I. All deserters from the enemy coming within our lines will be con- 
ducted to the commander of division or detached brigade who shall be 
nearest the place of surrender. 

II. If such commander is satisfied that the deserters desire to quit the 
Confederate service, he may permit them to go to their homes, if within 
our lines, on taking the following oath : 

THE OATH. 

"I do solemnly swear, in the presence of the Almighty God, that I will 
henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the 
United States, and the Union of States thereunder ; and that I will in like 
manner abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during 
the existing rebellion with reference to slaves, so long and so far as not jet 
repealed, modified, or held void by Congress or by decision of the Supreme 
Court; and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all 
proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion having 



416 LIFE A>TD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



reference to slaves, so long and so far as not modified or declared void by 
decision of the Supreme Court: so help me God. 

" Sworn and subscribed to before me at , this — day of , 186-. 1 ) 

III. Deserters from the enemy will at once be disarmed, and their 
arms turned over to the nearest Ordnance Officer, who will account for 
them. 

IV. Passes and rations may be given to deserters to carry them to their 
homes, and free passes over military railroads and on steamboats in Govern- 
ment employ. 

V. Employment at fair wages will, when practicable, be given to de- 
serters by officers of the Quartermaster and Engineer Departments. 

To avoid the danger of re-capture of such deserters by the enemy, they 
will be exempt from the military service in the armies of the United 
States. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Gka:st. 

He also ordered that ' ' no encouragement will be given 
to traders or arm}^ followers, who have left their homes 
to avoid enrollment or the draft, and to speculate upon 
the soldiers' pay ; and this class of persons will not be 
tolerated in the armies of the Military Division of the 
Mississippi." 

Protection was extended to the property of loyal citi- 
zens residing within the rebellious States, and provision 
made for the proper seizure of the effects of rebels for- 
feited to the United States under the special act of Congress 
passed for that purpose. 

Head-Quaeteks Military Division of the Mississippi, j 
ix the Field, Chattanooga, Teux., December 13, 1S68. \ 

All Quartermasters within the Military Division of the Mississippi who 
now have, or may hereafter receive, moneys for rents accruing from aban- 
doned property, or property known to belong to secessionists within this Mili- 
tary Division, are hereby directed to pay such moneys into the hands of 
the nearest Treasury Agent, taking his receipt therefor, excepting such 
sums out of said moneys so collected as may be requisite to pay the necessary 
expenses of collection, and the taxes due the United States upon the same. 

Any property now held by any Quartermaster, and upon which rents 
are collected by him, shall, when satisfactorily proven to belong to loyal 
citizens, be restored to the possession of the owners, together with all 
moneys collected for rents upon the same, excepting only such sums as 
may be required to pay the necessary expenses of collection, and the taxes 
due to the United States upon the same. 

Department and Corps Commanders and Commandants of Military 
Posts and Stations within this Military Division are hereby required and 



LOYAL AND DISLOYAL CITIZENS. 



417 



directed, whenever called upon by proper authority, to promptly afford all 
necessary assistance in enforcing the collection of the taxes due upon all 
property within this command. 

Corps Commanders within this Military Division are directed to im- 
mediately seize, or cause to be seized, all County Records and documents 
showing titles and claims to property within the revolted States in their 
respective districts, and hold the same until they can be delivered to an 
authorized Tax Commissioner of the United States. 

Where property is used by the Government without paying rent, the 
collection of taxes on it will be suspended until further orders. 

By order of Major-General TJ. S. Geant. 

This was followed "by another : — 

Head-Quabteks Military Division of the Mississippi, | 
in the Field, Chattanooga, Tenn., December 16, 1863. J 

1. All seizures of private buildings will be made by the Quartermaster's 
Department, on the order of the commanding officer. The buildings of 
disloyal persons alone will be taken to furnish officers with quarters, 
and the need for public offices and storehouses must be supplied in 
preference. 

2. When the urgent exigencies of the service require it, the buildings 
of loyal persons may be taken for storehouses and offices, but only after 
all suitable buildings belonging to disloyal persons have been seized. 

3. In the seizure of buildings, the owner will be allowed to retain all 
movables except the means of heating. 

4. All officers will remain in the immediate vicinity of their commands, 
and if having a less command than a division or a post, when the com- 
mand is in tents they will occupy tent3 themselves. 

5. Commanding officers are prohibited from quartering troops in 
houses without the special written authority of the General commanding 
the Corps or Department to which they belong. 

6. In furnishing quarters to officers not serving with troops, the 
Quartermaster's Department will be governed by existing regulations. 

7. Ten days after the receipt and distribution of this order, Corps Com- 
manders will cause an inspection of their commands to be made by their 
Assistant Inspectors-General, and will arrest and prefer charges against 
every officer who may be occupying quarters not assigned to him by the 
Quartermaster's Department, or in violation of paragraph 4 of this 
order. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Grant. 

Grant' s thoughtful care of the troops was expressed in 
a brief notice, sent December 22, 1863, from the office of 
the Chief Quartermaster at Louisville, Kentucky, to get 
the supplies for his army : 

27 



418 LIFE xlrTD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



All requisitions made by Captain J. A. Potter, Assistant Quartermaster 
United States Army, for military supplies, will be immediately and 
promptly filled. 

In case of delay or refusal on the part of any railroad, Captain Pot- 
ter is authorized to take sucb means as may be necessary to enforce 
compliance. 

By order of Major-General U. S. Gbant. 

We find a letter from General Grant to the wife of Gen- 
eral I. F. Quinby, which we quote : 

Chattanooga, Tenn., December 13, 1S6S 
My Deae Madam : — The letter of my old friend and classmate, your 
husband, requesting a lock of my hair, if the article is not growing scarce 
from age — I presume he means to be put in an ornament (by the most 
delicate of hands no doubt), and sold at the bazaar, for the benefit of dis- 
abled soldiers and their families — is just received. 

I am glad to say tbat the stock is yet abundant as ever, though time or 
other cause is beginning to intersperse here and there a reminder that 
winters have passed. 

The object for which this little requisite is made is so praiseworthy 
that I cannot refuse it, even though I do, by granting it, expose the fact to 
the ladies of Rochester, that I am no longer a boy. Hoping that the 
citizens of your city may spend a happy week, commencing to-morrow, 
and that this fair may remunerate most abundantly, 
I remain, very truly yours, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General. 

General Grant, to visit the outposts of his department, 
left Chattanooga for Nashville. He embarked, December 
18th, on the noble and fast- sailing Government steam- 
packet Point JRoc7c, for Nashville and Louisville. Gen- 
ral Sherman accompanied him. 

The commander stayed no longer at Nashville than was 
necessary to secure active work on the railroad communi- 
cations with Chattanooga, and in a few days his departure 
was announced for Knoxville. He had heard that the 
communications with that post had been much cut up and 
endangered, and, after a brief stay, left the State capital for 
that city. 

Desirous of ascertaining the condition of the roads be- 
tween that place and Louisville, by way of Cumberland 
Gap, he resolved to make a personal examination of that 
line of travel. 



A TOILSOME AND COURAGEOUS ADVENTURE. 



419 



A dispatch will indicate the hardships endured and his 
reception along the route : — 

" General U. S. Grant arrived January 11th at Louis- 
ville, having just completed a six days' campaign against 
Jack Frost. He and his star! left Knoxville on the 5th in- 
stant, and crossed the country by way of Cumberland Gap, 
Barboursville, Big Hill, Richmond, and Lexington, to this 
ehy, having to encounter the coldest weather and deepest 
snow known there for thirty years. The trip was a most 
terrible one — the officers having to walk a great part of the 
way, driving their nearly frozen animals before them. The 
descent of the Gap and of Big Hill is represented to have 
been not only difficult but dangerous, and had an army 
been compelled at this time to cross those mountains, the 
task would not have been much less terrible than Mac- 
donald's passage of the Spleigen. General Grant had a 
much easier and shorter route to Nashville by way of 
Chattanooga ; but he chose this difficult and dangerous one 
solely from a desire to see for himself the capabilities of 
the country and route for supplying General Foster' s army. 
It is this personal attention to important details and his 
aggressive style of warfare which is the secret of General 
Grant' s great success. This difficult j ourney, undertaken at 
this time, is indicative of the indomitable energy of the man. 

' ' At Lexington, Kentucky, General Grant met with a 
spontaneous reception from the citizens. The town was 
crowded with the country visitors, and nothing would 
satisfy them but a speech. The General, however, con- 
tented himself with making his appearance. The people 
insisted on his getting upon a chair that he might be seen 
to better advantage, and, half pushed by General Leslie 
Coombs, General Grant mounted the improvised rostrum. 
General Coombs then introduced him in a neat little speech, 
in which he said that ' General Grant had told him in con- 
fidence — and he would not repeat it — that he never had 
made a speech, knew nothing about speech-making, and 
had no disposition to learn.' After satisfying the curiosity 
of the people, but without ever having opened his mouth, 
General Grant dismounted from his chair and retired, amid 
the cheers of the assemblage. 



420 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

"His arrival at the Gait House was not generally 
known, and few, who had not looked at the books, sus- 
pected that the little man in faded blue overcoat, with 
heavy red whiskers, and keen bright eyes, the hero of the 
two rebel Gibraltars of Yicksburg and Chattanooga, stood 
before them. This people have been so used to and sur- 
feited with brilliantly dressed and cleanly shaven staff 
officers, with every pretense star or double star that has 
flitted across this horizon, that they never dreamed of re- 
cognizing in the blue overcoated men w^ho figured in the 
scene with him the admirable and hard-working staff offi- 
cers who have aided in no little degree to General Grant 1 s 
success. General Grant was accompanied by General 
Wilson, Colonel Duff, Colonel T. S. Bowers, and others of 
his staff The party are to leave in the morning train for 
Nashville, where General Grant establishes his head-quar- 
ters for the present." 

On the 12th of January, 1864, a telegram announced 
that railroad communication was opened between Louis- 
ville and Chattanooga. A private letter from Chattanooga 
states that when the first train of cars from Bridgeport 
arrived at the military post, the fact caused the greatest 
rejoicing throughout the whole army, and that our sol- 
diers, who had for so many months been on short rations, 
were soon reveling in plenty. 

" Only those thoroughly informed of the vast amount of 
labor required to get the road in order will appreciate the 
victory won by our soldiers and mechanics. The heavy 
force that was employed in building the bridge over the 
Tennessee River and Falling Waters was next used to put 
the road in perfect order from Nashville to Bridgeport. 
This road had been in a wretched condition. The track 
had been constantly giving way, and the trains have been 
badly damaged by accidents. The utmost energy was dis- 
played to make this road first-class, and equip it so that 
not only can our army at Chattanooga be thoroughly sup- 
plied, but provisions and ammunition, pork, bread, salt, 
cartridges, clothing— the necessaries of life for a great 
army — be accumulated for the spring's campaign. The 
road swarmed with laborers from end to end, until this 



SUCCESSFUL MILITAEY RULE. 



421 



was accomplished. With a good road, the furloughed sol- 
diers can be sent home promptly, and the trains returned 
ponderous with military indispensables. It was no less 
important to General Grant than the reorganization and re- 
enforcement of his army, that the railroad should be effi- 
cient. It would be vain to gather the manly strength of 
the nation at Chattanooga, if we could not send to that point 
that which is needed to provide the men for the present, 
and give them a depot of supplies for the future. There- 
fore, we regard the construction of the road to Chattanooga 
as a significant victory. It meant as much in the*direction 
of overcoming the rebellion, as if we had gained another 
battle in East Tennessee or Northern Georgia." 

On the 13th of January General Grant was in Nashville, 
having made the circuit of his department in the most in- 
clement season of the year. 

A Washington correspondent sent the following para- 
graph to a prominent daily paper during February, 1864 : 

" An officer just in from General Grant's head-quarters 
states that all through the country to the rear of the Union 
lines a Union officer, in his uniform, can ride unmolested 
to any portions of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama, 
halting at farm-houses along the road for such refresh- 
ments and shelter as he may desire." 

What evidence of the superiority of management of the 
department is set forth in the short paragraph. 

General Grant appears to have been acting from the 
beginning of his first campaign upon a fixed principle — to 
take away from the rebels whatever they declare themselves 
least able to spare. In January, 1862, it was rumored that 
the rebel capital would presently be removed to Nashville. 
Grant determined to be beforehand with Davis, moved 
upon the works of Fort Donelson, and after very unhand- 
somely capturing the garrison, w r ith General Buckner, took 
possession of Nashville. 

Next, Mr. Davis announced to all the world that the fate 
of the Confederacy depended upon the fate of Vicksburg. 
Hereupon Grant moved down and captured that place. 

East Tennessee was next declared to be absolutely 



422 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 

necessary to the safety of the rebel cause. The untiring 
Grant no sooner heard this than he sent Sherman to Knox- 
ville to drive off Longstreet, and leisurely drove Bragg 
away from Chattanooga. 

At Memphis, January 25th, General Sherman said : " I 
was at West Point with General Grant. The General is 
not a man of remarkable learning, but he is one of the 
bravest I ever saw. He smokes his cigar with coolness in 
the midst of Hying shot. He has no fear, because he is an 
honest man. I like Grant. I do not say he is a hero ; I 
do not believe in heroes ; but I know he is a gentleman, 
and a good man." 

The last days of January saw the chief on a new and 
touching jpurney. A child lay sick at St. Louis, and the 
warrior was lost in the father. His family attracted the 
interest of his manly heart and his steps. 

His arrival in that city was discovered by visitors, who 
saw the book of the hotel where he had put up. The 
entry was simply as follows : — 

U U. S. Grant, Chattanooga.'' 

That entry, modest and simple as it was, spoke vol- 
umes ; for, hidden under those seven letters that composed 
his name and initials, lay unseen the titles of " Major-Gen- 
eral of the United States Army," "Conqueror of Vicks- 
burg and Chattanooga," " Grand Commander of the Mili- 
tary Division of the Mississippi." It did not require to be 
written, for it was all embraced in U U. S. Grant." 

As soon as it became known that General Grant was 
really in St. Louis — it had been doubted by many that so 
great a general could have entered their city without a 
brilliant escort, or his advent being heralded by a flourish 
of trumpets and rolling of drums— the citizens prepared to 
give him a reception worthy of his deeds. No occasion 
had occurred since the commencement of the war in which 
St. Louis had more cheerfully united to do honor to one 
worthy of the gratitude of all. 

An invitation to a public dinner was tendered to Gen- 
eral Grant by the citizens of St. Louis. 



PUBLIC HONORS. 



423 



General Grant accepted the invitation, and forwarded a 
characteristic reply : — 

St. Louis, Missouri, January 27, 1864. 

Colonel John O'Fallon, Hon. John How, and citizens of St. Louis : 

Gentlemen : — Your highly complimentary invitation " to meet old 

acquaintances and make new ones," at a dinner to be given by citizens of 

St. Louis, is just received. 

I will state that I have only visited St. Louis on this occasion to see a 

sick child. Finding, however, that he has passed the crisis of his disease, 

and is pronounced out of danger by his physicians, I accept the invitation. 

My stay in this city will be short — probably not beyond the 1st proximo. 

On to-morrow I shall be engaged. Any other day of my stay here, and 

anyplace selected by the citizens of St. Louis, it will be agreeable for me to 

meet them. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Major-General U. S. A. 

During that day (January 27) General Grant paid a 
visit to the City University, where he passed some two 
hours in reviewing the arrangements and listening to the 
recitation of the students of this institution. 

The same evening he attended the St. Louis theater 
with his family, and was the cynosure of the eyes of all 
around him during the whole of the performance. After 
the fall of the curtain upon the play of Richelieu, cheers 
were proposed and heartily given for the ''famous mili- 
tary chieftain." The General rose from his box, bowing 
his acknowledgments, and in response to calls was under- 
stood to say that he had never made a speech in his life, 
and never expected to. Asking to be excused, he resumed 
his seat amid a shower of cheers. The orchestra struck up 
"Hail Columbia," followed by "Yankee Doodle," and 
altogether the incident was a very pleasant one. 

On Friday evening the old friends of the modest Lieu- 
tenant Grant of former times, the neighbors of Farmer 
Grant, the cordwood dealer of Carondelet, and the admir- 
ers of General Grant, the redeemer of the Mississippi Val- 
ley, sat down in the dining-hall of the Lindell Hotel, St. 
Louis, to a grand dinner given in his honor. A stranger, 
unacquainted with the object of the gathering, entering the 
dining-hall during the dinner, would never have selected, 



424 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



from the guests there assembled, the quiet, modest, unas- 
suming man at the upper end of the room as the victorious 
hero of the Southwest. 

A St. Louis journal said of the reception and appear- 
ance of General Grant on this occasion 

" The guests assembled in the corridors and parlors of 
the hotel at half-past six o'clock. Much curiosity was 
exhibited to see General G rant ; and when he made his 
appearance, arm-in-arm with Judge Treat, all were eager 
to go forward and be presented to him. He went through 
the protracted ceremony of shaking hands with the crowd, 
and passing a word or two with each, with far less of pre- 
tentious and pompous deportment than many of those who 
sought his acquaintance. He is a small man, about live 
feet eight inches high, with a well-knit frame, brown hair 
and whiskers, both cropped close, and a manner as utterly 
destitute of style as could be conceived. His sharp nose, 
heavy lower jaw, and firm- set lips, are the only features 
wherein one would suspect lurked the qualities that drove 
the Western armies like a resistless avalanche down the 
Mississippi and over the Southwest, in that career of con- 
secutive victories that broke the power of rebellion, even 
while it was boasting of triumphs at the East. 

" The curiosity of the company centered mainly upon 
General Grant, to honor whom the demonstration was 
specially intended. As he lodged in the hotel, any thing 
like an ostentatious arrival or reception was, of course, out 
of the question. General Grant had a visibly mild, mod- 
est manner, and received the cordial greetings tendered 
him with evident embarrassment. The lady inmates of 
the house took possession of an adjoining parlor, through 
the open door of which they could see the General ; and 
several of his most ardent admirers among the fair spec- 
tators took the opportunity of his near proximity to the 
door in question to obtain an introduction." 

There were three elegant tables spread lengthwise in 
the hall, provided abundantly from the larder of the hotel. 
In the center of the one on the north side were seated the 
president of the committee of citizens, Judge Samuel Treat, 
with General Grant next on his right, followed by General 



A BRILLIANT FESTIVAL. 



425 



Schofield, Colonel Leighton, Colonel Marcy, and Lieuten- 
ant-Governor Hall. Next on his left sat General Rose- 
crans, General Osterhaus, and Mr. F. Dent, father-in-law 
of the guest of the evening. Mr. Dent is a white-haired, 
florid, fine-looking gentleman, about sixty-five years old. 
He resided in St. Louis County, on the Gravois road. 
Immediately opposite Judge Treat, at the same table, sat 
Judge Lord, of the Land Court, flanked on the left by 
Major Dunn, C. B. Hubbell, Colonel Merrill, and G. Hoe- 
ber ; and on the right by Colonel Callender, Colonel 
Myers, Colonel Haines, and Major C. P. E. Johnson. 

At the center of the south table were seated Honorable 
Wayman Crow, with General McNeil, General Fisk, Gen- 
eral Brown, General Totten, and General Gray. The re- 
maining guests, to the number of two hundred, occupied 
the other seats at the tables. The hall, superb in the ceil- 
ing and wall colorings which embellished it, was further 
decorated by the spirited drapings of the national flag 
from each of the arched windows, and presented a magni- 
ficent appearance. 

Atthetoast of " Our distinguished guest, Major-General 
Grant," the band played with great spirit the air " Hail to 
the Chief." 

General Grant arose, amid a perfect storm of applause ; 
but, true to his resolution never to make a speech, he 
simply said : 

"Gentlemen : — In response, it will be impossible for me 
to do more than to thank you." 

At the toast of " The City of St. Louis," the following 
preamble and resolutions, passed by the City Council, an 
hour or two before the time fixed for the dinner, were 
read : — 

Council Chamber, City of St. Louis, January 29, 1864 
Whereas, Major-General U. S. Grant has, since our last meeting, sud- 
denly and unexpectedly arrived among us, and the opportunity not having 
presented itself, whereby the city authorities and this body could testify 
their great esteem, regard, and indebtedness due his modest, unswerving 
energies, swayed neither by the mighty successes which have crowned his 
genius and efforts in behalf of the Government, nor the machinations of 
politicians — evidences of the true patriot and soldier ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Common Council of the city of St. 



426 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Louis are eminently due, and are hereby respectfully tendered, to Major- 
General U. S. Grant, in behalf of the city of St. Louis. 

Resolved, That his Honor the Mayor be respectfully requested to give 
his official approval to this preamble and resolutions, and cause the seal 
of the city to be affixed, and the same presented to Major-General TJ. S. 
Grant. 

Shortly before the dinner-party broke up, this punning 
sentiment was given : — 

" Major- General Grant — he is emphatically U. S. Grant, 
for he has given US and the U. S. an earnest of those vic- 
tories which will finally rescue this nation from the rebel- 
lion and its cause — American slavery." 

Loud applause greeted the reading of the pleasant 
allusion. 

During the same evening, the General was honored by 
the enthusiastic populace with a serenade. His appearance 
on the balcony was greeted with the most flattering ap- 
plause. In response to calls for a speech, he took off his 
hat, and, amid profound silence, he said : 

' ''Gentlemen: — I thank you for this honor. I cannot 
make a speech. It is something I have never done, and 
never intend to do, and I beg you will excuse me.' ' 

Loud cheers followed this brief address, at the conclu- 
sion of which the General replaced his hat, took a cigar 
from his pocket, lit it, and stood on the balcony in the 
presence of the crowd, puffing his Havana, and watching 
the rockets as they ascended and burst in the air. 

" Speech ! speech!" vociferated the multitude, and 
several gentlemen near him urged the General to say 
something to satisfy the people, but he declined. Judge 
Lord, of the Land Court, appeared very enthusiastic, and, 
placing his hand on General Grant's shoulder, said : "Tell 
them you can fight for them, but can't talk to them — do 
tell them that !" 

" I must get some one else to say that for me," replied 
the General ; but the multitude continuing to cry out, 
"Speech! speech!" he leaned over the railing, blew a 
wreath of smoke from his lips, and said : — 

" Gentlemen : — Making speeches is not my business. I 
never did it in my life, and never will. I thank you, how- 



GEN". GRANT AND THE SANITARY COMMISSION. 427 



ever, for your attendance here." And with that the Gen- 
eral retired. 

At the request of a number of ladies, the noted visitor 
agreed to stay in the city until the end of the month, as 
the citizens of St. Louis were organizing a Great West- 
ern Sanitary Commission Fair. A letter from him was 
read at a meeting held on Monday evening, February 1, 
1864 :— 

St. Loins, Missouri, January 81, 1SG4. 

Dr. W. G. Eliot, Geoege Paeteidge, and others, Western Sanitary Com- 
mission : 

Gentlemen : — Tour letter of yesterday, requesting my presence at a 
general meeting of the loyal citizens of St. Louis on Monday evening, to 
make preparations for a " Grand Mississippi Valley Fair," for the "benefit 
of the sick and wounded soldiers of the Western Army, is before me. I 
regret that my already protracted stay in the city will prevent any longer 
delay from my public duties. I regret this, as it would afford me the 
greatest pleasure to advance, in any manner, the interests of a commis- 
sion that has already done so much for the suffering soldiers of our West- 
ern armies. The gratuitous offerings of our loyal citizens at home, through 
the agency of sanitary commissions, to our brave soldiers in the field, have 
been to them the most encouraging and gratifying evidence that, while 
they are risking life and health for the suppression of this most wicked 
rebellion, their friends, who cannot assist them with musket and sword, 
are with them in sympathy and heart. The Western Sanitary Commission 
have distributed many tons of stores to the armies under my command. 
Their voluntary offerings have made glad the hearts of many thousands of 
wounded and sick soldiers, who otherwise would have been subjected to 
severe privations. Knowing the benefits already conferred on the army 
by the Western Sanitary Commission, I hope for them a full and enthusi- 
astic meeting to-night, and a fair to follow which will bring together many 
old friends who have been kept apart for the last three years, and unite 
them again in one common cause — that of their country and peace. 

I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

IT. S. Grant, Major-General U. S. A. 

Before the close of the meeting the General was elected 
an honorary member of the Commission. 

The unassuming and unselfish nature of General Grant, 
like that of Washington and Lincoln, is the crowning and 
most attractive aspect of the chieftain's character. It was 
expressed in every act. When at this period his name 
was mentioned in connection with the next Presidential 



428 



LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



campaign, he said, emphatically, "Let us first settle the 
war, and it will be time enough then to talk upon that 
subject!" Again, when rallied upon the apparent de- 
termination of a prominent paper to bring him into the 
arena, he quietly remarked : " I aspire only to one politi- 
cal office. When this war is over, I mean to run for 
mayor of Galena ; and, if elected, I intend to have the 
side-walk fixed up between my house and the depot." 

The appointment of General Grant to the Lieutenant- 
Generalship of the United States Armies; instead of 
elating, only gave a new occasion for the development of 
his nobility of character. 

On the 4th of March, at Nashville, Major-General 
Grant received telegraphic orders to report in person at 
Washington. Congress had passed an act authorizing 
the appointment of a Lieutenant-General to command the 
Armies of the United States, and the President had nom- 
inated General Grant for the appointment. Before starting 
on his journey, Grant seized his pen, and in the very 
moment of his greatest elevation, filled with generosity 
toward those others to whose exertions he modestly chose 
to ascribe his own deserved reward, hastily wrote these 
touching lines : — 

Dear Sherman : — The bill reviving the grade of Lieutenant-General in 

the army has become a law, and my name has been sent to the Senate for 
the place. I now receive orders to report to Washington immediately in 
person, which indicates a confirmation, or a likelihood of confirmation. 
I start in the morning to comply with the order. 

Whilst I have been eminently successful in this Avar, in at least gaining 
the confidence of the public, no one feels more than I how much of this 
success is due to the energy, skill, and the harmonious putting forth of that 
energy and skill, of those whom it has been my good fortune to have 
occupying subordinate positions under me. 

There are many officers to whom these remarks are applicable to a 
greater or less degree, proportionate to their ability as soldiers ; but what 
I want is to express my thanks to you and McPherson, as the men 
to whom, above all others, I feel indebted for whatever I have had of 
success. 

How far your advice and assistance have been of help to me, you know. 
How far your execution of whatever has been given you to do entitles you 
to the reward I am receiving, you cannot know as well as I. 



GENERAL GRANT AND GENERAL SHERMAN. 



423 



I feel all the gratitude this letter would express, giving it the most 
flattering construction. 

The word you I use in the plural, intending it for McPherson also. I 
should write to him, and will some day; but, starting in the morning, I do 
not know that I will find time just now. 

Your friend, 

U. S. Grant, Major-General. 

general Sherman's reply. 

Sherman received this letter near Memphis, on the 10th 
of March, and immediately replied : — 

Dear Geneeal : — I have your more than kind and characteristic letter 
of the 4th instant. I will send a copy to General McPherson at once. 

You do yourself injustice and us too much honor in assigning to us too 
large a share of the merits which have led to your high advancement. I 
know you approve the friendship I have ever professed to you, and will 
permit me to continue, as heretofore, to manifest it on all proper occasions. 

You are now Washington's legitimate successor, and occupy a position 
of almost dangerous elevation ; but if you can continue, as heretofore, to be 
yourself, simple, honest, and unpretending, you will enjoy through life the 
respect and love of friends, and the homage of millions of human beings, 
that will award you a large share in securing to thern and their descendants 
a government of law and stability. 

I repeat, you do General McPherson and myself too much honor. At 
Belmont you manifested your traits — neither of us being near. At Donel- 
son, also, you illustrated your whole character. I was not near, and Gen- 
eral McPherson in too subordinate a capacity to influence you. 

Until you had won Donelson, I confess I was almost cowed by the 
terrible array of anarchical elements that presented themselves at every 
point; but that admitted a ray of light I have followed since. 

I believe you are as brave, patriotic, and just as the great prototype, 
"Washington — as unselfish, kind-hearted, and honest as a man should be — 
but the chief characteristic is the simple faith in success you have always 
manifested, which I can liken to nothing else than the faith a Christian has 
in the Saviour. 

This faith gave you victory at Shiloh and Yicksburg. Also, when you 
have completed your preparations, you go into battle without hesitation, as 
at Chattanooga — no doubts — no reverses ; and I tell you, it was this that 
made us act with confidence. I knew, wherever I was, that you thought 
of me, and if I got in a tight place you would help me out, if alive. 

My only point of doubts was in your knowledge of grand strategy, and 
of books of science and history; but, I confess, your common sense seems 
to have supplied all these. 

Now, as to the future. Don't stay in Washington. Come West; take 
to yourself the whole Mississippi Valley. Let us make it dead sure—- and I 



430 LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

tell you the Atlantic slopes and the Pacific shores will follow its destiny, as 
sure as the limbs of a tree live or die with the main trunk. We have done 
much, but still much remains. Time and time's influences are with us. 
We could almost afford to sit still and let these influences work. 

Here lies the seat of the coming empire ; and from the West, when our 
task is done, we will make short work of Charleston and Richmond, and 
the impoverished coast of the Atlantic. Your sincere friend. 

On the 6th of March, 1864, he visited the departmental 
offices at Louisville, Kentucky, to see that every thing 
was in working order ; and then started East, taking with 
him his son, a lad thirteen years of age. He arrived at 
Cincinnati the next morning, where he paid a flying visit 
to his father, Jesse R. Grant, Esq., residing at Co- 
vington, opposite that city, after which he proceeded 
to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Leaving on the morning of 
March 8th, he arrived at Baltimore about noon, where he 
was met at the depot of the Northern Central Railroad by 
soldiers and citizens. The General, as usual, plainly clad, 
seemed anxious to avoid parade. Many, however, on 
seeing him, pressed up to shake hands, and gave vent to 
their feelings by enthusiastic shouts of welcome. To this 
greeting he remarked that, " beyond all things, he was de- 
termined to avoid political demonstrations ; his business 
was with war, while it existed, and his duty was to crush 
the spirit of treason and save the nation from destruction. 
When these things were accomplished, as he hoped and 
believed they surely would be, then it would be time 
enough for those whose tastes were toward partisanship to 
indulge themselves." 

General Grant left Baltimore by the next train, and 
arrived in Washington at about five o'clock on the even- 
ing of March 8, 1864. He at once proceeded to W r illard's 
Hotel, and went to his room. A little later, unattended 
by either staff or escort, he quietly walked into the long 
dining-room of the hotel, and took his seat. There were 
several hundred persons present, and the ranking officer of 
the whole United States Army sat down in the midst of 
them in his rusty uniform, attracting but little notice. His 
quietude was but short-lived ; he had but half finished his 
dinner, when one of the visitors at the table inquired of a 



GENERAL GRANT IN WASHINGTON. 



431 



neighbor who the strange major-general was. Looking 
up, the party questioned recognized the newly arrived 
officer, whom he had known in Galena, and answered : 

"Why, that is Lieutenant- General Grant." 

The magic name was quickly whispered about, and a 
battery of ladies' eyes was speedily opened upon him. He 
betrayed embarrassment, when suddenly a member of 
Congress arose and announced that "the hero of Vicks- 
burg was among them," and proposed his health. In- 
stantly all the guests were on their feet, and the response 
was deafening cheers. More embarrassed than before, the 
General merely bowed and resumed his seat ; but his 
dinner was constantly interrupted by the rush of the 
guests to gain an introduction to him. 

Late in the evening, General Grant visited the White 
House, where the President was holding a public recep- 
tion. He entered the reception-room unannounced. He 
was recognized and greeted by Mr. Lincoln with great 
cordiality. The noted visitor then became the principal 
figure, and, attended by the Secretaries of War and State, 
modestly received the congratulations of the crowd, after 
which he escorted Mrs. Lincoln round the East Room, and 
retired. He afterward remarked, it was "his warmest 
campaign during the whole war." 

The City Councils of Washington also tendered him the 
hospitalities and 'freedom of the city, together with a 
cordial welcome. This was embodied in a series of resolu- 
tions, handsomely written, and presented to him by the 
Mayor. 

At one o'clock in the afternoon of March 9, 1864, Gen- 
eral Grant was formally presented by President Lincoln 
with his commission as Lieutenant- General. The ceremony 
took place in the presence of the Cabinet, the General-in- 
Chief, the members of General Grant's staff, that officer's 
son, the President' s private secretary, and Representative 
Lovejoy. When the General entered the room the Presi- 
dent rose and said : 

" General Grant : — The nation's appreciation of what 
you have done, and its reliance upon you for what still 
remains to be accomplished in the existing great struggle, 



432 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



are now presented with this commission, constituting you 
Lieutenant-General in the Army of the United States. 
With this high honor devolves upon you, also, a cor- 
responding responsibility. As the country herein trusts 
you, so, under God, it will sustain you. I scarcely need 
to add, that with what I here speak for the nation, goes 
my own hearty personal concurrence." 

To which General Grant replied as follows : — 

"Me, President : — I accept the commission, with gra- 
titude for the high honor conferred. With the aid of the 
noble armies that have fought on so many fields for our 
common country, it will be my earnest endeavor not to 
disappoint your expectations. I feel the full weight of 
the responsibilities now devolving on me, and I know that 
if they are met, it will be due to those armies, and, above 
all, to the favor of that Providence which leads both 
nations and men.'' 

At the conclusion of these brief speeches, the President 
introduced the General to all the members of the Cabinet ; 
after which the company were seated, and about half an 
hour was spent in pleasant social conversation. 

General Grant, the next day, visited the Army of the 
Potomac, in company with General Meade, and, on his 
return to the national capital, immediately made prepara- 
tions for his departure. He left Washington, with his 
staff, on the evening of March 11th, for the West. 

The day after, the following order was promulgated : — 

War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, | 
Washington, March 12, 1864. ' 

The President of the United States orders as follows: 

I. Major-General Halleck is, at his own request, relieved from duty as 
General-in-Chief of the Army, and Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant is 
assigned to the command of the Armies of the United States. The head- 
quarters of the Army will he in Washington, and also with Lieutenant- 
General Grant in the field. 

II. Major-General Halleck is assigned to duty in Washington, as Chief 
of Staff of the Army, under the direction of the Secretary of War and the 
Lieutenant-General commanding. His orders will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

III. Major-General W. T. Sherman is assigned to the command of the 
military division of the Mississippi, composed of the Departments of the 
Ohio, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and the Arkansas. 



THE ORDER FOR A NEW PROGRAMME OF WAR. 433 

IV. Major-General J. B. McPherson is assigned to the command of the 
Department and Army of the Tennessee. 

V. In relieving Major-General Halleck from duty as General-in-Chief, 
the President desires to express his approbation and thanks for the zealous 
manner in which the arduous and responsible duties of that position have 
been performed. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

No military order of this war was more satisfactory 
than this, appointing Lieutenant-General Grant to the com- 
mand of the Armies of the United States. Not the least 
agreeable feature of it was the announcement of head- 
quarters in Washington with General Grant in the field. 
He was still to lead in person, and the name which was 
the omen of success to his soldiers was still to "be their 
rallying cry in battle. 

28 



434 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

GENERAL GRANT AND THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. — ITS LEADING 

GENERALS. 

A Ball-room on the Battle-field.— General Grant's idea of such Warlike Prepara- 
tions. — A Fancy Officer. — The Pause and Crisis. — The Opening Campaign and 
its Field. — Incidents. — Sketch of Major-General George Gordon Meade. — Major- 
Geueral Philip Henry Sheridan. 

A few days before the anniversary of Washington's 
birthday, near General Warren's head- quarters, an im- 
mense ball-room, erected at no small expense, had been 
thronged with dancers. We shall not soon lose the im- 
pression the unfinished building made on our mind, when, 
a few weeks before, we saw it. A tall-room on a battle- 
field ! But the ladies from a distance were delighted with 
the soldierly frolic, and approached General Grant on the 
subject, expressing the hope that there would be another 
in the Army of the Potomac. 

He coolly listened, and then assured them that, if an- 
other were attempted, he should stop it by special order. 
It was no time or place for music and dancing, excepting 
the martial airs and firm step of the warriors, many of 
whom were soon to fall in the strife. 

The same day the ball came off, the President had issued 
an order for preparations in every department of the army 
for an early advance. For this grand action General Grant 
was ready. It suited his ideas of carrying on the~war. He 
soon revealed his purpose to move on Richmond. It was 
not the capital mainly he wanted ; but to crush or fatally 
cripple the well-disciplined, formidable army under the 
splendid leadership of General Lee, was the serious work 
he resolved to undertake. Notwithstanding the repeated 
failures before, the losses and retreats of the noble Army 
of the Potomac, the victor of the West was willing to try 
his strength against the accomplished commander of 1 1 the 
Sower of Southern chivaliy " in the East. Bat one condi- 



THE FANCY OFFICER AMD GENERAL GRANT. 435 



tion was demanded by Mm, and granted — the entire con- 
trol of the army for one hundred days. That is, for that 
period the campaign should be his own ; he would assume 
the high responsibility of its success, with no interference 
from Washington, however well or wisely intended. This 
arrangement gave unity of plan and harmony in action. 
He soon visited the able and gallant General Meade, the 
hero of Gettysburg, at his head-quarters, and inspired new 
confidence and hope in officers and troops. Strict disci- 
pline was enforced. The speculators and hangers-on in 
the field began to disappear. Fancy soldiering was made 
contemptible, as it ought to be. A pleasant story related 
of General Grant illustrates his course in regard to it. 

While he was looking oyer his new field, near Culpep. 
per Court-House, his head-quarters, in a drizzling rain, 
attended only by his orderly, a carriage approached him. 
It was drawn by a pair of fine horses, and attendants 
escorted it. When near him, the driver reined up, the 
door was opened, and out sprang a dashing officer. He 
inquired if that dripping, unostentatious man was General 
Grant. The latter replied in the affirmative. The officer 
added, that he wished to see the General on business. 

"Come, walk with me," answered General Grant. 

There was no other way to do. Into the mud went the 
polished boots ; and, unprotected from the rain, the gay 
uniform was worn, till, like a peacock after a tempest has 
beaten down its plumage and besprinkled it with dirt, the 
officer stole back to the carriage with soaked, saturated 
apparel, and drooping feather. The parting counsel of his 
commander, to set an example of a more becoming style of 
living, was thus enforced by a baptism into the new order 
of things which he was not likely to forget. 

The nation, inspirited by the grand successes of the 
Lieutenant- General, held breath in view of the great and 
decisive crisis reached. Three years of bloody war, which 
it was supposed three months would close, had left their 
mournful record. The strain to supply "the sinews of 
war" had been increasing every year. Men and money 
had been given lavishly. Great victories had been won. 
Still, the army which we first confronted on the "sacred 



436 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



soil of Virginia," and the capital of tlie growingly desper- 
ate " Confederacy*" were apparently stronger than ever. 
It was no vainglorious nor ordinary act to step forth into 
such a condition of affairs, the master-spirit of the vast and 
momentous issue. 

But the time of renewed and costly activity had come. 
God's finger had, it seemed, designated the man for the 
hour and the work. 

We find another good story, which sounds like the 
General. A visitor to the army called upon him, one 
morning, and found the General sitting in his tent, smoking 
and talking to one of his staff officers. The stranger ap- 
proached the chieftain, and inquired of him as follows : 

" General, if you flank Lee, and get between him and 
Richmond, will you not uncover Washington, and leave 
it a prey to the enemy V ' 

General Grant, discharging a cloud of smoke from his 
mouth, indifferently replied : "Yes, I reckon so." 

The stranger, encouraged by a reply, propounded ques- 
tion No. 2 : " General, do you not think Lee can detach 
sufficient force from his army to re-enforce Beauregard and 
overwhelm Butler V ' 

" Not a doubt of it," replied the General. 

Becoming fortified by his success, the stranger pro- 
pounded question No. 3, as follows: "General, is there 
not danger that General Johnston may come up and re- 
enforce Lee, so that the latter will swing round and cut 
off your communications, and seize your supplies V ' 

u Very likely," was the cool reply of the General, and 
he knocked the ashes from the end of his cigar. 

The stranger, horrified at the awful fate about to befall 
General Grant and his army, made his exit, and hastened 
to Washington to communicate the news. 

A Galena neighbor, who visited New York about this 
time, seemed utterly confounded with the sudden growth 
of his neighbor the tanner. He couldn't account for it, for 
he was not a marked man in his home, and nobody sup- 
posed him a great man. He seldom talked, asked no ad- 
vice, gave none to any one, but always did what he agreed 
to, and at the time. 



RICHMOND AND ITS DEFENSES. 



437 



A hundred and seventeen miles from Washington lay 
Richmond, the capital of the " Old Dominion," and of the 
new Confederacy of slaveholders. Its population, ordina- 
rily, did not exceed sixty thousand. The situation is 
pleasant, on the James River. As a war center, it became 
a great hospital and Sodom. The sick and wounded in 
"body, and the corrupt in heart, were the ruling majority in 
the high place of treason, second only to Charleston in this 
distinction. Under the accomplished engineer, Beauregard, 
who, since the first year of the conflict, had multiplied de- 
fences, exhausting his skill and resources, it presents 
circles and angles of fortifications perhaps unsurpassed "by 
any city in the world. Below Richmond was Fort Darling ; 
and on the same side, to guard an approach, was Peters- 
burg, also strongly fortified and garrisoned. Between the 
National capital and Richmond, Lee' s veteran army was 
waiting for Generals Grant and Meade to move. The for- 
mer had the general direction of the grand campaign, while 
General Meade was commander of the Potomac Army. 
Culpepper Court-House, ten miles north of the Rapidan, 
between it and the Rappahannock, and about seventy-five 
miles from Washington, was the head-quarters of General 
Grant. Ten miles on the other or south side of the river, 
at Orange Court-House, was the Confederate host. The 
two vast armies were, therefore, twenty miles apart. Their 
pickets came to the banks of the stream, and sometimes 
joked across it, and passed papers and tobacco to each 
other. 

General Lee for several months had been anticipating 
another attempt to cut the way to Richmond, whose Libby 
prison — worse than death to our captive heroes — had 
awakened the strongest indignation at the North. "And 
why had we failed?" was a not unfrequent question ; and 
Congress took up the refrain. Jealousy, rivalry, and in- 
ordinate ambition doubtless had much to do with our mis- 
fortunes ; but the great fault did not lie there. It was 
mainly in the peculiar geographical and topographical 
configuration of the country. A military writer, whose 
attention was attracted to this subject at this time, wrote : 

"Two armies of equal numbers, and commanded with 



438 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



equal ability, being opposed to each other, their move- 
ments and achievements must be entirely determined by 
the nature of the theater of operations. Perhaps never in 
the history of warfare has the character of the ground ex- 
erted more influence on campaigns than that of the portion 
of Virginia which lies between Washington and Richmond. 
On the right of our army are chains of mountains, which 
enable the rebels to conceal any flanking movement they 
may undertake ; while the valleys afford to them the means 
for an easy and uninterrupted passage to the Potomac 
above Washington, and one almost entirely secure from 
attacks in their rear. On our front is a succession of rivers, 
presenting great natural obstacles to our advance, and at 
the same time easily defensible ; to make flanking move- 
ments by ascending them is to open our rear to attacks 
from Fredericksburg, and to cross below the rebel army 
leaves the railroad a prey to guerrillas. The country is, 
moreover, masked in every direction by dense forests, 
rendering any thing like a surprise in force impracticable. 
A few rebel scouts may at all times easily detect and 
thwart such a movement. Such are the natural features 
of the country." 

On the 24th of March, 1864, a reorganization of the Army 
of the Potomac was effected. The number of army corps 
was reduced to three ; the 'Second, under command of Ma- 
jor-General Winfleld S. Hancock ; the Fifth, under com- 
mand of Major- General G. W. Warren ; and the sixth, 
under command of General Sedgwick. On the 4th of April, 
1864, Major-General Sheridan was placed in command of 
the cavalry corps. Division officers were also reassigned. 

A partial reorganization was also effected in the Army 
of the Southwest, By direction of the President, under 
date of April 4th, 1864, the Eleventh and Twelfth corps 
were consolidated and placed under command of Major- 
General Hooker, and the new corps was called the Twen- 
tieth. 

The Lieutenant- General, accompanied by several of his 
stair officers, made a tour of survey of all our forces in 
Virginia, General W. F. Smith accompanying him in his 
visit to Butler's command. 



PREPARATIONS FOR THE GRAND CAMPAIGN. 



439 



The month of April was one of general preparation for 
the grandest military campaign of modern times. Through- 
out the loyal North the notes of mustering for the decisive 
conflict were heard. Recruits poured into the Potomac 
Army, of which General Grant said to General Ggilby : 
" This is a very fine army ; and these men, I am told, have 
fought with great courage and bravery. I think, however, 
that the Army of the Potomac has never fought its battles 
through " — words of wisdom soon to be verified under his 
leadership. And of the first commander he added, on 
another occasion : " General McClellan failed not so much 
from a lack of military ability as from a species of intoxi- 
cation, resulting from his too rapid promotion and the flat- 
tery of politicians. He degenerated from a leader into a 
follower." 

General Grant did not propose to hurl his battalions 
against those of Lee, protected by strong intrenchments, 
but move round to the eastward, to get past the right 
wing, between the enemy and Richmond, compelling the 
rebel chief either to come out of his own den and try to 
stop his adversary, or fall back on his capital. 

The Lieutenant- General went from the secret cabinet 
councils at Washington to the military posts, to inspect 
them, and secure a readiness complete as possible for the 
advance toward Richmond. 

Blooming May found General Sherman initiating opera- 
tions on a large scale against Johnston in Northern Georgia. 
General Banks had been ordered to protect the gunboats on 
the Red River ; General Steele was taking care of Price in 
Arkansas ; and General Butler was securely intrenched 
on the right bank of the James River, at Bermuda Hun- 
dred, ready to strike when and where he was least ex- 
pected. 

Over all, from the Atlantic coast at Chesapeake Bay to 
the Gulf of Mexico, and westward to the haunts of the 
Indians, extended the rule and tremendous responsibility 
of General Grant. 

The entire confidence existing between the President 
and General Grant will appear in these additional let- 
ters : — 



440 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OP GENERAL GRANT. 



Executive Mansion, "Washington, April 30, 1864. 

Lieutenant-General Grant : 

Not expecting to see you before the spring campaign opens, I wish 
to express, in this way, my entire satisfaction with what you have done 
up to this time, so far as I understand it. The particulars of your plans I 
neither know nor seek to know. 

You are vigilant and self-reliant ; and, pleased with this, I wish not 
to obtrude any restraints or constraints upon you. While I am very 
anxious that any great disaster or capture of our men in great numbers 
shall be avoided, I know that these points are less likely to escape your 
attention than they would be mine. If there be any thing wanting which 
is within my power to give, do not fail to let me know it. And now, with 
a brave army and a just cause, may God sustain you. 

Yours very truly, A. Lincoln*. 

Head- Quarters Armies United States, i 
Culpepper C. H., Virginia, May 1, 1864. » 

The President : 

Your very kind letter of yesterday is just received. The confidence 
you express for the future, and satisfaction for the past, in my military ad- 
ministration, is acknowledged with pride. It shall be my earnest endeavor 
that you and the country shall not be disappointed. From my first 
entrance into the voluntary service of the country to the present day, I 
have never had cause of complaint, have never expressed or implied a 
complaint against the Administration or the Secretary of War, for throw- 
ing any embarrassment in the way of my vigorously prosecuting what 
appeared to be my duty. Indeed, since the promotion which placed me in 
command of all the armies, and in view of the great responsibility and im- 
portance of success, I have been astonished at the readiness with which 
every thing asked for has been yielded, without even an explanation being 
asked. 

Should my success be less than I desire and expect, the least I can say 
is, the fault is not with you. 

Very truly, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

At this momentous pause in the battle- work of the 
armies, it will lend interest to the great campaigns which 
succeeded it, to glance at the personal and public history 
of the leading chieftains in command of the battalions. 

Next to General Grant, the leader of the Potomac Army, 
stood 

Majoe-Geneeal Geoege Goedon Meade. 

He was born at Cadiz, Spain, where his father, Richard 
Warsaw Meade, was Consul and Navy Agent at the time, 
on the 31st of December, 1815. 



EARLY LIFE OF GENERAL MEADE. 



441 



While yet an infant, his parents removed to Philadel- 
phia. In early boyhood he was sent to Georgetown, D. C, 
to he the pupil of Mr. Salmon P. Chase, since Secretary of 
the Treasury, but then a successful teacher. A few years 
later he entered the Military Academy at Mount Airy, near 
Philadelphia, from which he went to West Point as a 
Cadet in September, 1831. 

Graduating July 1st, 1835, he entered the army, brevet 
second lieutenant of the Third Artillery, and was ordered 
to Florida. He was a brave, successful young soldier, 
and escaped the memorable " Dade Massacre " in conse- 
quence of an attack of illness at the time of the terrible 
tragedy. 

In December, 1835, he was created full second lieuten- 
ant, and less than a year later resigned his commission to 
engage in the duties of civil engineer. His excellent quali- 
fications for the profession were called for in the survey 
of the Northeastern Boundary Line, under the charge of 
Colonel James D. Graham. 

May 19th, 1842, he received the appointment of second 
lieutenant of the topographical engineers. 

When war was declared with Mexico, he entered the 
service with a new interest, and became a member of Gen- 
eral Taylor's staff, winning the highest commendations from 
superior officers for his gallantry at Palo Alto, Resaca de 
la Palma, Monterey, and Saltillo. In the remarkable siege 
of Monterey he was brevetted first lieutenant. 

After the declaration of peace, he was actively em- 
ployed on river and harbor improvements, and in the con- 
struction of light-houses, principally in Delaware Bay ; but 
upon hostilities being again threatened in Florida, he relin- 
quished these peaceable pursuits and again took the field 
with his old commander, General Zachary Taylor. He re- 
mained in Florida about six months. 

After the close of the Florida war, he superintended the 
building of light-houses in Delaware Bay, and off the coast 
of Florida. 

August, 1851, he was made first lieutenant, and five 
years from May of that year was promoted to the captaiilcy, 
and ordered to Detroit, Michigan, to engage in the national 



442 LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 



survey of the great chain of Northwestern lakes ; and 
soon after was in command of the important enterprise. 
Esteemed and nattered by the people of the city at which 
he made his head-quarters, the fruits of his skillful services 
which remain, in charts and reports, and received the 
warmest approval at Washington, commemorate perma- 
nently his able and honorable career in the West. Here 
the Rebellion found him in 1861. 

Ordered to the National capital in August, he was com- 
missioned brigadier-general of volunteers on the 31st of 
that month, and assigned to the command of the Second 
Brigade of Pennsylvania Reserve Corps — the splendid 
organization furnished by the wise forecast of the Keystone 
State, and commanded by General McCall. He entered on 
his new duties September, 1861, drilling his troops for the 
stern work before them. 

He led them to Manassas the next spring, and, after the 
battle of Hanover Court-House, joined the host of McClel- 
lan on the Peninsula. 

June 19th, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Major 
in the regular army. 

General Meade steadily won the admiration of the army 
and the people for his unquestioned bravery and military 
accomplishments. He did well, and all that a chief could 
do, at Mechanicsville and Gaines's Mills. 

In the evening after the latter battle the Reserves 
crossed the Chickahominy, advancing the next night to 
White Oak Creek, and thence to New Market Cross-roads, 
where the rebels came upon the supply-trains, whose im- 
mense caravan was moving toward James River. General 
Meade, whose brigade was on the right, was in the thickest 
of the fight — like Grant, lighting his cigar in a tempest of 
shot and shell. 

Amid the terrible slaughter, General Meade was pierced 
by two balls, one entering his arm and the other his hip. 
The wounds were not mortal, as at first believed to be, 
and after spending a month at his home in Philadelphia, 
he returned to the army at Harrison's Landing, August 
13th, 1862, and, after the evacuation of the Peninsula, joined 
General Pope. Then followed the heroic work of both 



BRAVERY OF GENERAL MEADE. 



443 



commander and troops in the Pope campaign, in the fight 
at South. Mountain, and at Antietam. 

General Meade received a slight contusion from a spent 
grape-shot, and had two horses killed under him. 

After General Hooker was wounded, General Meade 
was placed temporarily in command of his corps, which 
position he held until the return of General Reynolds from 
Pennsylvania, when he reassumed command of the Reserve 
Corps. 

When the Army of the Potomac again crossed the Poto- 
mac, in the latter part of October, 1862, General Meade 
accompanied it, and on the 29th of the following month 
(November) was rewarded for his repeated acts of gallant- 
ry by an appointment as major-general of volunteers, an 
honorable promotion for which he had been earnestly 
recommended by General Hooker. 

General Meade' s force was among the first to cross the 
river in the battle of Fredericksburg, and carried the 
colors of the Republic into the very intrenchments of the 
enemy, taking back, when compelled for want of re-en- 
forcements to retire, several hundred prisoners. 

December 25, 1862, he was appointed to the command 
of the Fifth Army Corps, and feelingly bade farewell to his 
noble Reserves. 

When General Hooker succeeded General Burnside, 
January, 1863, General Meade led his Fifth Corps grandly 
in the desperate struggle of Chancellorsville, covering the 
retreat where the commander of the Potomac Army order- 
ed it. Before the dawn of Sunday, June 28, General 
Meade was aroused in his tent, at Frederick, Maryland, 
by a messenger from General Halleck, with the commis- 
sion to succeed General Hooker in the command of the 
Potomac Army. 

Rising from his bed, he soon had the following order 
written, a perfect one of the kind : — 

Head-Qcap.tep.3 of the Army of the Potomac, June 28, 1S63. 
By direction of the President of the United States, I do hereby assume 
command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this order 
— an order totally unexpected and unsolicited — I have no promises or 
pledges to make. The country looks to this army to relieve it from the 
devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sac- 



444 



LIFE A^ T D CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



rifices we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly 
the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do 
his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence tho decision of the con- 
test. It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this army 
an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear con- 
spicuous in the history of its achievements ; but I rely upon the hearty 
support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the 
duties of the important trust which has been confided to me. 

George G. Meade, Major- General commanding. 
S. F. Baestow, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Two days later the following circular was issued : — 

Head-Qttaetees Aemt of the Potomac, June 30, 1S63. 
The commanding General requests that, previous to the engagement 
soon expected with the enemy, corps and all other commanding officers 
address their troops, explaining to them the immense issues involved in the 
struggle. The enemy is now on our soil. The whole country looks anx- 
iously to this army to deliver it from the presence of the foe. Our failure 
to do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions of hearts 
with pride and joy at our success would give to every soldier of the army. 
Homes, firesides, and domestic altars are involved. The army has fought 
well heretofore. It is believed that it will fight more desperately and 
bravely than ever, if it is addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other 
commanders are authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who 
fails to do his duty at this hour. 

By command of Major-General Meade. 

S. Williams, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

Then came the fearfully dark days of General Lee's 
invasion of Pennsylvania, and bloody, glorious Gettys- 
burg, July 1st, 2d, and 3d. Pennsylvania was rescued 
from the invader, and Baltimore and the Federal capital 
were saved ; and to the brave defenders, with their skill- 
ful leader, who, under the direction of the God of battles, 
had accomplished these results, were accorded the thanks 
and laudations of a rescued people. 

"He realized to the fullest extent the magnitude and 
importance of the task imposed upon him, and the suc- 
cessful issue of the three days' conflict at Gettysburg 
proved the wisdom of the selection, and the superior abil- 
ity of the brave man who planned and fought the battle." 

General Lee's escape with his army, under the circum- 
stances — the strength of the foe, the want of a just estimate 
of it, and the opinion of the subordinate commanders being 



A FITTING TESTIMONIAL. 



445 



adverse to immediate pursuit — exonerates General Meade 
from all blame, in the regretted flight of the routed legions 
of treason, to fight again. 

August 28, 1863, an interesting scene illustrated the 
popularity of the hero of Gettysburg. The officers of the 
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps presented him with a splen- 
did sword and a pair of golden spurs. On the scabbard 
of the former was this inscription : — 

" Mechanicsville, Gaines's Hill, Newmarket Cross- 
roads, Malvern Hill, Bull Run (second), South Mountain, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg." 

Near the hilt, inlaid in blue enamel and gold, with 
precious diamonds, were the initials of General Meade, 
" G. G. M.," and the handle of the weapon was encircled 
with a row of opals, amethysts, rubies, and other precious 
jewels. Invitations were extended to Governor Curtin 
of Pennsylvania, and a number of gentlemen prominent 
in civil and military life, who were also present. General 
S. Wyiie Crawford, the gallant commander of the Reserves, 
was designated as the most suitable person to present the 
well-deserved tribute, and ably fulfilled the pleasant duty 
in the following words : — 

1 ' General : — I stand before you to-day, sir, the repre- 
sentative of the officers of that division who once called 
you its chief. 

" Impelled by a desire to perpetuate the memory of 
your connection with them ; desirous, too, to manifest to 
you the affection and esteem they bear you, they ask the 
acceptance, to-day, of this testimonial, which shall mark it 
forever. Accept it, sir, from them, and here, in the pres- 
ence of him who conceived the idea of this division — and 
who, I trust, a faithful people will return to the position 
he so worthily occupies — not as a reward, not as a recom- 
pense for your care for them, but as the exponent of those 
feelings of their hearts whose value cannot be expressed in 
words. Transmit it to those who bear your name, and let 
it ever express to you and them that devoted attachment 
and regard that the officers of the Pennsylvania Reserve 
Corps shall never cease to feel for you." 

General Meade replied in a speech of considerable 



446 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

length, reviewing the brilliant history of the Reserves, 
amid the repeated cheers of the enthusiastic assemblage. 

October 9th, the opposing armies confronted each other 
along the banks of the Rapidan, and a battle was fought 
at Bristoe Station, Warren leading the Second Corps 
bravely, and beating back Lee from his attempt to seize 
the Hights of Centerville, and also fall on the fiank of the 
Potomac Army. 

In early November there were successful engagements 
on the Rappahannock, and later in the month the affairs 
at Locust Grove and Mine Run, in all of which General 
Meade maintained his character as a leader of the first rank 
In the vast operations of the Union army. 

January, 1864, he visited Philadelphia, and was wel- 
comed with every demonstration of admiring gratitude by 
his fellow-citizens. Congress added the expression of na- 
tional thanks for his heroism and high achievements. 

February 29th, he was appointed brigadier-general in 
the regular army, dating July 3d, 1863 — the great day of 
victory at Gettysburg. 

The grand campaign under Lieutenant-General Grant 
followed, during which General Meade held both his com- 
mand and his hold upon the confidence of the nation. This 
will appear in the history of the presiding genius of the 
triumphant year which gave the country the rebel capital. 

The excellent wife of the brave general is the daughter 
of Honorable John Sergeant, of Philadelphia, the present 
home of the nation's defender in its greatest hour of peril. 

Philip Henry Sheridan 

Was born in Massachusetts, in 1836, according to the 
records in the War Department at Washington. 

His father removed to Perry County, Ohio, when 
"Phil" was a child; a region then almost a wilderness. 
He early showed a fondness for horses. 

At live years of age, he was playing near his home, 
when some lads came along and amused themselves with 
the wide-awake boy. A horse was feeding quietly in an 
adjacent lot. 

"Phil, would you like a ride?" they said to him. 



SHERIDAN'S EARLIEST RIDE. 



447 



" Yes, give me one." 

In a few moments the boy was on the animal' s back. 
The sudden and unceremonious mounting of the young 
rider started the steed, and away he ran. 

"Whoa ! whoa ! " sang out the mischievous lads, but 
in vain. Over the fence he sprang, and once on the 
highway, it was a Gilpin ride. ' ' Phil ' ' clung to the mane, 
while the sobered authors of the race turned pale with the 
apprehension of a tragical end to it, expecting to see him 
dashed to the earth and killed. But out of sight horse 
and rider vanished, and miles soon lay between the two 
parties, when the horse suddenly turned into the shed of a 
tavern where its owner had frequently stopped in his 
travel. Men came out, and recognizing the horse, ques- 
tioned the boy. One of the curious company, after secur- 
ing the foaming animal, without saddle or bridle, and the 
unterrified "Phil," inquired: 

"Who learned you to ride ?" 

" Nobody," answered the boy. 

" Did no one teach you how to sit on a horse ?" asked 
another. 

"Oh, yes ! Bill Seymour told me to hold on with my 
knees, and I did." 

" Wasn't you frightened V 9 

" Nary a bit ; I wanted to go on further, but the horse 
wouldn't go." 

6 1 Ain' t you sore, boy V ' 

"Kinder, but I'll be better to-morrow, and then I'll 
ride back home." 

"That boy," said the questioner, " has pluck enough 
to make an Indian hunter." 

The following morning "Phil" was lame and sore: 
still, he wanted to go home. The surprised and interested 
people kept the little fellow to nurse him before he under- 
took the return trip. Meanwhile the owner of the horse, 
on his account and in behalf of the family, made his ap- 
pearance. He had learned along the way the course of 
the young Gilpin. He expressed astonishment that he was 
not thrown, as the horse was vicious, and had unsaddled 
excellent horsemen. 



448 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Soon as lie was old enough to earn a livelihood, he went 
to Zanesville, Ohio, and for a time drove a water-cart. 
Through the influence of a "brother, and the kindly interest 
which the bright, independent boy awakened in the Con- 
gressman of the District, he was appointed cadet in the Uni- 
ted States Military Academy at West Point, and was admit- 
ted therein July, 1S48. He graduated in the summer of 1853, 
having suffered somewhat in his standing from that com- 
bat-iveness which, as was remarked by one of the profes- 
sors, was not the worst quality in the character of a soldier. 
McPherson, Schofield, Hood, and others of distinction, on 
both sides in the great Eebellion, were his classmates. 

He, immediately after graduation, was ordered to Fort 
Duncan, Texas, where Ms regiment was stationed. He 
had various adventures with the Indians, and some hair- 
breadth escapes, one of which was in a most daring per- 
sonal combat with an Apache chief, and so annoyed his 
commander, since a rebel general, that he sought and ob- 
tained an assignment with a full second lieutenancy in the 
Fourth Infantry Regiment, then in Oregon. 

He subsequently returned to New York, to accompany 
recruits to the Pacific coast. While waiting for these, he 
spent a few months in the command of Fort Wood, New 
York harbor. 

In July, 1855, Lieutenant Sheridan' s troops were ready 
to move, and he sailed with them for California. He had 
scarcely touched the Pacific coast before he was chosen to 
command an escort for Lieutenant Williamson's expedition 
to a branch of the Columbia, whose object it was to survey 
the proposed route of a branch railroad of the great Pa- 
cific railway, connecting San Francisco with the Columbia 
River. 

In the early autumn of that year, Lieutenant Sheridan 
was at Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory. Here 
Major Rains, since a general in the rebel army, planned an 
expedition against the Yokima (or, as it is also spelled, 
Yakima) Indians, who were troublesome to our people, 
and secured Lieutenant Sheridan's services. The danger 
of the enterprise just suited the energy and enthusiasm of 
the young officer. Turn to the map again, and you will 



LIEUTENANT SHERIDAN AT THE WEST. 



440 



find Fort Vancouver, so named after the celebrated captain 
and discoverer, on the Columbia River, not far from Co- 
lumbia City, and Yokima River north of it, flowing south- 
easterly into that father of Western waters. 

April 28, 1856, occurred one of the severest encounters 
of the troops at the Cascades, on the Columbia, not very 
far from Fort Vancouver. The savages fought bravely, 
and Lieutenant Sheridan displayed that dashing and fear- 
less courage which has so distinguished him in his more 
recent and splendid achievements. His gallantry attracted 
the special notice of his superior officer, and was mentioned 
flatteringly in general orders. The savages were defeated, 
and the threatened outbreak soon entirely suppressed. 
Not only for his bravery, but his kindly intercourse, was 
Sheridan admired by the Indians, and gained a powerful 
influence over them, unlike many officers, who have left 
only scorn and hate behind them upon the quick and un- 
forgetful minds of the aborigines. 

To the Yokimas, after their submission to Major Rains, 
was given a beautiful valley in the coast range of moun- 
tains, to be the "Yokima Reservation" and share, before 
the future tide of emigration rolling in upon the Pacific 
shores, the fate of all similar compromises with a doomed 
people. Lieutenant Sheridan was appointed to the com- 
mand of this Indian domain, and won the confidence of 
his wild subjects, administering their affairs to their satis- 
faction and that of the Government. Lieutenant-General 
Scott made special mention of his meritorious conduct in 
the settlement of difficulties with the turbulent Yokimas. 
During that same year, 1857, he created a new military post 
at Yamhill, southwest of Fort Vancouver. Then followed 
three years of incessant marches, skirmishing, and forest 
encampment among the Indians of the mountains. Amid 
the grand and exciting scenery and scenes of Oregon he 
also suffered great deprivation, sometimes reduced to the 
diet of grasshoppers, caught in the open plains. He was 
passing through discipline for noble service of which he 
little dreamed in the future of his country. 

While there, the Rebellion opened its fearful storm 
upon the Republic. He repaired, according to orders, in 

29 



450 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the spring of 1861, to Washington, with a first lieutenant's 
commission, and, May 14th, was created captain in the 
Thirteenth Regiment of Regular Infantry. With the ad- 
vent of autumn, he joined his regiment at Jefferson Bar- 
racks, Missouri, and was appointed president of the board 
selected to audit the claims which arose under the admin- 
istration of General Fremont in the West, a practical busi- 
ness affair, in which he maintained his characteristic 
urbanity, and showed ability for any service. This official 
position was followed by a call to more difficult responsi- 
bilities. He was appointed chief quartermaster and com- 
missary of the army forming at the moment for operations 
in Southwestern Missouri. 

In March, 1862, Captain Sheridan was appointed chief 
quartermaster of the Western Department, comprising the 
sixteen divisions of General Halleck's department, with 
the rank of major. 

The call for good cavalry officers was so great that he was 
soon transferred to that service, as colonel of the Second 
Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, and ordered 
to the field around Corinth, and attached to Elliott' s force. 

June 6th, he led a reconnoissance below Donaldson's 
Cross-roads. Here the well-known Forrest met Sheridan' s 
troops, and a sharp engagement followed, in which he was 
victorious again over the desperate foe. On the 8th, com- 
manding two regiments, he pursued the enemy through 
Baldwin, captured it, met the enemy and defeated him, 
and then, in accordance with orders, returned to Corinth. 
A few days later, June 12th, his command was formally 
enlarged to that of a brigade, consisting of the Second 
Iowa Cavalry in addition to his own regiment. He was 
prepared and impatient to make an onset upon the foe, 
equal in magnitude to the strength of his army. The 
coveted opportunity was at hand. He was ordered to 
Booneville, twenty miles in front of the main army, to 
cover its advance, and watch carefully the enemy before 
him. 

July 1st, General Chalmers, leading nine regiments, in 
all six thousand men, attacked Colonel Sheridan with his 
two regiments. 



THE PERIL AND THE ESCAPE. 



451 



Skirmishing became the order of the day, until the gal- 
lant colonel fell back upon his camp. It lay upon the 
margin of a dense swamp, where to flank him would be a 
difficult undertaking, and directly confronting his power- 
ful foe with an inferior force, he could keep him at bay. 
The overwhelming numbers of the enemy began to threaten 
the Union brigade with isolation, by extending their lines 
around it. The peril suggested a fine stroke of strategy. 
Selecting ninety men, he sent them, armed with revolving 
carbines and sabers, along a curve of four miles around 
the enemy, with orders to fall on the rear at a given time, 
while he would attack the front at the same moment. 

The bold, shrewd plan succeeded. While the Confeder- 
ates were dreaming of coming victory, suddenly the crack 
of carbines startled "the rear-guard," and then another 
volley, till the revolving weapons had gone their rounds, 
when the bugle sounded a charge ; and, fearlessly as a host 
of ten thousand, the ninety troopers dashed upon the six 
thousand. Entirely ignorant of the numbers advancing, 
the rebels were panic-smitten, and before a correction O: 
the mistake was possible, Sheridan made his onset in front 
with his usual impetuosity, sweeping down upon the op- 
posing ranks with the fury of a tornado from the forest. 
Bouted and terrified, the foe fled in confusion. General 
Sheridan pursued him with rapid pace, over a track bor- 
dered with guns, knapsacks, coats, and whatever impeded 
his flight. This wild chase was kept up for twenty miles. 
The success was complete and brilliant. 

General Grant appreciated the deed of valor, and in his 
report to the War Department expressed his admiration, 
commending Colonel Sheridan for promotion. Accord- 
ingly, a brigadier-general's commission, dated July 1st, 
1862, was forwarded to the heroic officer. You will recol- 
lect that General Sheridan's head- quarters were at Boone- 
ville, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, bordering on Ten- 
nessee, and southerly from Corinth. Twenty-Mile Creek 
ran between him and the enemy, and to it the animals of 
the rebel army were sent for watering. This afforded 
Sheridan a chance for a cavalry dash now and then, cap- 
turing as many as three hundred of them at a time. 



) 

453 LIRE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

A few weeks afterward, in August, General Sheridan 
performed another of his daring movements. Attacked 
by Colonel Faulkner, not far from the town of Rienzi, a 
short and desperate struggle terminated in victory to the 
Union troopers, Sheridan pursuing the fugitives almost to 
the main column of the hostile force, and safely retracing his 
steps, with no small part of the attacking troops prisoners. 

And now we come to grander scenes in the arena of 
conflict. Early in September, 1862, Grant learned that the 
rebel forces of the Southwest were making a general ad- 
vance, under General Bragg, upon the Union positions in 
that region, having the Ohio River for the goal of mad am- 
bition. It became necessary to re-enforce the Army of 
Ohio, then under the command of General Buell. Among 
the troops ordered to join him was General Sheridan's 
command, the Second Michigan Cavalry, which was at 
once enlarged by General Buell to that of the Third Divi- 
sion of the Army of the Ohio, in accordance with General 
Grant' s expectation when he assigned to him the valiant 
officer. September 20th, Bragg was near Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, which was poorly prepared for an attack. It was 
General Sheridan' s duty to defend the city. With prompt 
energy he took the hours of night for digging rifle-pits 
stretching from the railroad depot toward Portland, form- 
ing a strong defense against the enemy's approach, by 
securing the town against surprise. Here General Buell 
found Sheridan, September 25th, when he arrived there 
to organize the Army of the Ohio, to which heavy re-en- 
forcements had been added. This new order of things 
placed General Sheridan at the head of the Eleventh 
Division, October 1st. 

The Union forces entered upon offensive warfare, bear- 
ing steadily down upon the rebels, who, finding themselves 
thus confronted, began to retreat. 

The decisive hour of a great conflict had come. Toward 
this clash of arms, the fierce and awful collision of mighty 
armies, their movements for weeks had been tending. 
Along the banks of Stone River the final preparation for 
deadly encounter went forward the last days of December. 
An army in battle array has its center or body, and its 



GENERAL SHERIDAN AT STONE RIVER. 



453 



wings stretching out on either side. General Sheridan's 
position was next to the center, in the right wing, or on 
its extreme left, where the first onslaught of the enemy 
would fee made. 

In the terrible battle of Stone River, Sheridan' s posi- 
tion was on the extreme left of the right wing, joining the 
center. Of his valor, General Rosecrans spoke in the 
highest terms ; his troops sustaining four successive shocks 
and repulsing the enemy four times, losing in the san- 
guinary strife the gallant Sill and Roberts. 

When Sheridan had extricated his command from the 
forest, and got in line with the reserves, he rode up to 
Rosecrans, and, pointing to the remnant of his division, 
said, " Here is all that is left of us, General. Our cart- 
ridge-boxes contain nothing, and our guns are empty. " 

In his report of the struggle, General Rosecrans says : 
"He ought to be made a major-general for his services, 
and also for the good of the service.'' ' 

The recommendation to higher duty and honors was 
heartily responded to by our noble President. The nom- 
ination of General Sheridau to a major-generalship was 
made and confirmed by the Senate the last day of the 
eventful year 1862. 

In March, 1863, General Sheridan led a scouting expedi- 
tion, reconnoitering the rebel position, and defeating them 
in several skirmishes. 

The month of May was distinguished for two impor- 
tant results in the movements of the armies — the defeat of 
General Hooker at Chancel] orsville, and the successful 
arrival of General Grant's army at Vicksburg, investing 
that stronghold of rebellion in the southwest. 

June 23d, General Rosecrans set the army-front toward 
Chattanooga. His rendezvous, you recollect, was at Mur- 
freesboro, and his grand object directly in view was to 
drive the rebels from Middle Tennessee. Their main base 
of supplies was at Chattanooga, which you will see by the 
map lies southeast of Murfreesboro, and near the Georgia 
boundary. Bragg' s army lay intrenched north of Duck 
River, from Shelby ville to Wartrace, McMinnsville, Colum- 
bia, and Spring Hill. Between Murfreesboro and his lines 



454 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



were rocky hights, through which were passes for the 
routes of travel, called Hoover's Gap, Liberty Gay, and 
Guy's Gap, all held by the rebels. 

Sheridan was in General McCook' s corps, which moved 
along the Shelby ville road, and was to advance on Liberty 
Gap, " one of the keys to the rebel position." 

He was successful in his enterprise, and soon was in 
possession of Shelby ville. 

General Sheridan, as announced by his chief, was con- 
spicuous .in the movements and the battles which removed 
the head-quarters of the army to Winchester, Tennessee. 
Flushed with the successes at Liberty Gap and Winches- 
ter, General Sheridan's trooi3s, in view of an impending 
struggle, engaged with enthusiasm in the more prosy busi- 
ness of getting the whole army forward toward the Ten- 
nessee River — progress being retarded by rebuilding rail- 
roads and securing the necessary supplies. 

In the fore part of September, the Army of the Cumber- 
land crossed the Tennessee at different points. 

General Sheridan's division passed safely over therivei 
on their own bridge, August 31, and swept on toward 
Trenton, in Dade County, Georgia, and on the 5th of Sep- 
tember encamped a few miles from that village. The fol- 
lowing day the march was resumed. The rebels, finding 
that the cavalry were approaching, Sheridan having reach- 
ed Stearns's Mills, on their flank, evacuated Chattanooga. 

With great sacrifice of life, through the dauntless hero- 
ism of such men as Thomas, McCook, and Sheridan, Chat- 
tanooga was saved to the Union cause. It is startling to 
think how near we came to a complete and disastrous de- 
feat. Major- General McCook, General Sheridan's corps 
commander, gives prominence to his heroic part in the 
terrible fight. 

General Sheridan's next advancement was an enlarged 
command in General Granger's corps, under General 
Grant, to whom, October 17, General Halleck gave the 
"Departments of the Ohio, of the Cumberland, and of the 
Tennessee, constituting the Military Division of the Mis- 
sissippi." 

To the threats of General Bragg- to bombard Chatta- 



GENERAL SHERIDAN AT CHATTANOOGA. 45/5 

nooga, General Grant's reply was a general attack, upon 
his enemy , weakened by the loss of twenty thousand men, 
led by Longstreet into East Tennessee to conquer it, 
November 23. 

In the great conflict and victory, General Sheridan bore 
himself splendidly. 

Stung with the breaking of his division at Chickamauga, 
Sheridan shouts: " Show the Fourth Corps that the men 
of the Old Twentieth are still alive, and can fight ! Re- 
member Chickamauga !" And they did fight. 

In the thickest of the battle, he took a flask from an 
aid, and, filling a pewter cup, raised his cap to a rebel 
battery, saying, " How are you r 4" as he drank. Six guns 
were aimed at the daring horseman, but in vain. Soon 
after, his horse was killed under him. 

In February he was again sent into East Tennessee, and 
drove out the rebels with great daring and heroic endu- 
rance. 

In March, 1864, following the election of General Grant 
to the rank of lieutenant-general, General Sheridan was 
appointed to the command of the cavalry corps of the Po- 
tomac Army. 

His first work was to protect the flanks of that army, 
when its grand advance was made, early in May, 1864. 

On the 9th, he entered upon the perilous expedition to 
the rear of General Lee's army, cutting his way when 
his command were surrounded by the rebels. 

After opening communication with Yorktown, and 
thence to Washington, he co-operated with the columns 
of the gallant Meade and his superior officer, in the move- 
ment toward the Chickahominy. 

June 8, he started on his second cavalry expedition 
into the " heart of the rebel country." It was one of the 
most heroic, difficult, and successful enterprises of the kind 
in the annals of war. 

During the month of July, he was engaged in cutting 
the railroads around Petersburg. With August, the rebels 
pushed out again for the rich fields of the Shenandoah Val- 
ley — making the third invasion of Maryland. 

The skirmishes and battles, of which the marvelous 



458 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



turning of defeat into victory at Winchester stands con- 
spicuous in all the annals of warfare, that make up the 
history of Early's defeat and of the final triumph of the 
Union army, have a larger place in the record of the great 
Commander of the whole arena of national conflict for ex- 
istence. 

General Sheridan 1 s great forte in command is the fiery 
enthusiasm with which he inspires the men — making them, 
like himself, insensible to danger, and resistless in valor. 
Grant, Sherman, and Thomas are great in strategy, and 
calm in execution. Sheridan has never failed in his plans, 
"but has won his victories chiefly through this sublime 
heroism, on fire with martial daring and glory. 

The fidelity of the staff-officer s sketch of the personal 
appearance and habits of General Sheridan is confirmed 
by all who knew him well : " In person (at least in repose) 
General Sheridan would not be called a handsome man. 
Sheridan is barely five feet six inches in night. His body 
is stout, his lower limbs rather short. Deep and broad in 
the chest, compact and firm in muscle, active and vigorous 
in motion, there was not a pound of superfluous flesh on 
his body at the time we write. His face and head showed 
his Celtic origin. Head long, well balanced in shape, and 
covered with a full crop of close, curling, dark hair. His 
forehead moderately high, but quite broad ; perceptives 
well developed, high cheek-bones, dark beard, closely 
covering a square lower jaw, and firm-lined mouth* clear 
dark eyes, which were of a most kindly character, com- 
pleted the tout ensemble memory gives at the call. Al- 
ways neat in person, and generally dressed in uniform, 
Captain Sheridan looked, as he was, a quiet, unassuming, 
but determined officer and gentleman, whose modesty 
would always have been a barrier to great renown, had 
not the golden gates of opportunity been unbarred for his 
passage." 



SKETCHES OF LEADING UNION GENERALS. 457 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE LEADING GENERALS IN THE CAMPAIGN. 

Sketches of Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman. — Major-General George 
H. Thomas. — Major-General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. — Major-General Oliver 
0. Howard. — Major-General James Birdseye McPherson. 

Next in extent of command, and its importance in the 
vast field of strife, was the Department of the Mississippi, 
under the command of that gifted and splendid officer, 
Major-General Sherman, in whose rare company of sub- 
ordinate chiefs were Thomas, Howard, Sehofield, McPher- 
son, and Kilpatrick. 

Brief biographies of these brave men, at this period of 
rest and yet of preparation for the decisive campaign of the 
war, will gratify a rational curiosity, and add a personal 
interest to the narrative of the momentous times. 

William Tecumseh Sherman, 

Whose ancestors came from England and settled in Strat- 
ford, Connecticut, in 1634, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, 
February 8, 1820. His father, an eminent jurist of that 
State, died in 1848, leaving the widow, an intelligent and 
devout woman, with eleven children. Honorable John 
Sherman, of the United States Senate, is a younger brother 
of William Tecumseh, whose Indian name was given him 
by his father, because he knew and admired the celebrated 
warrior after whom he called his son. 

The Honorable Thomas Ewing, a resident of Lancaster, 
knew that his gifted and departed friend had not left the 
large family a fortune. It would therefore be no easy task 
to educate and start them in the world. And his errand 
then was to ask the mother to commit one of the boys to 
his home and care. 

He said, with a playful earnestness, ' ' I must have the 



458 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GKANT. 

smartest of the lot ; I will take no other, and you must 
select him for me." After a short consultation between 
the mother and eldest daughter, the choice fell upon 
" Cump." So it was decided that Mr. Ewing should take 
him to his house and educate him with his own chil- 
dren. 

At the age of sixteen, Mr. Ewing, in his official posi- 
tion, had at his disposal the appointment of a cadet to the 
Military Academy at West Point, and determined to offer 
it to his "protege" Tecumseh had a taste for military 
life, and gladly accepted the honor, entering the institu- 
tion June, 1838. 

In a letter, dated February 17, 1839, he writes : — 

6 ' Bill is very much elated at the idea of getting free of 
West Point next June. He does not intend remaining in 
the army more than one year, then to resign, and stud} r 
law, probably. JSTo doubt you admire his choice ; but, to 
speak plainly and candidly, I would rather be a black- 
smith. Indeed, the nearer we come to that dreadful epoch, 
graduation-day, the higher opinion I conceive of the duties 
and life of an officer of the United States Army, and the 
more confirmed in the wish of spending my life in the 
service of my country. ' ' 

He graduated fifth in his class, June 30, 1840. The 
' rebel General Beauregard was a classmate. Created second 
lieutenant in the Third Artillery, he repaired to Florida in 
the service of the regular army. 

When Lieutenant Sherman reached the peninsula, the 
war therewith the "exiles" and Seminoles had been in 
progress about five years. 

In March, 1841, he went with his company to Fort 
Morgan, at the entrance of Mobile Bay. 

Young Sherman was promoted to a first-lieutenancy 
November, 1841, and soon after, the war closed, followed 
by the removal of the "exiles" to the country beyond the 
State of Arkansas, where they joined the Creeks. 

Lieutenant Sherman was next ordered to Fort Moultrie, 
on Sullivan's Island, in Charleston harbor. In this fort- 
ress he had an unexciting round of duty. 

In 1845, he was for a time stationed at the arsenal in 



LIEUTENANT SHERMAN IN CALIFORNIA. 



459 



Augusta, Georgia ; and later, was member of a court-ma> 
* tial at Wilmington, North Carolina. 

When war followed the dispute between the United 
States and the Mexican Government about the dividing 
line, in 1846, it was necessary to have troops in California. 
Lieutenant Sherman was dispatched with these to that 
thinly- settled Territory. 

The war closed in the winter of 1848, and the treaty of 
peace was signed in February of that year. The life of a 
"regular" in the army became monotonous. Garrisons 
and surveys occupied the troops. 

Captain Sherman was for a period connected with the 
commissary department of the army. Tired of the quiet 
and lameness of the service, in 1853 he resigned his com- 
mission, and retired to private life. That well-known and 
wealthy citizen of St. Louis, Mr. Lucas, proposed to estab- 
lish a banking-house in San Francisco, under the name of 
" Lucas, Turner & Co.," at the head of which was placed 
Captain Sherman. 

He was not unsuccessful in the banking-office ; but it 
was not suited to his culture and taste, and he was without 
large capital. It is not strange, therefore, that when, in 
I860, he was offered the presidency of the Louisiana State 
Military Academy at Alexandria, on a salary of live thou- 
sand dollars per annum, he should accept the honorable 
position. 

Here the professor was directing his genius and attain- 
ments to carry out the wishes of the founders of the school, 
when the first ominous sounds of rebellion followed the 
election of Abraham Lincoln. 

He knew the Southern feeling well. The intercourse 
with the people of the Cotton States, from the association 
at West Point with their sons to that hour, convinced him 
of what we at the North were slow to believe, that they 
were determined to have their own way or fight. His 
clear judgment and forecast caught the signal of revolution 
in the stormy councils and secession resolutions which suc- 
ceeded the political revolution. The evil spirit of rebellion 
was in the very atmosphere about him. There was hot 
blood, even in the recitation-rooms of the Academy. The 



460 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



year 1860 closed over a purpose which had slowly but 
steadily matured, to leave the institution in which he had 
just begun to feel at home, and was fully qualified to 
manage. It had cost him anxious thought. But far in 
advance, as he has been ever since, in his views of the 
true issue — the men and the measures we must meet — he 
was sure a sanguinary struggle was at hand. It saddened 
his heart, but nerved his strong hand to grasp the starry 
banner and enter the arena of carnage and victory. 

Thus decided in his convictions and loyalty, he did not 
wait for the thunder of cannon around Fort Sumter. He 
wrote the following manly, strong, and patriotic letter, 
which tells its own glorious story : — 

January 8, 1861. 

Governor Thomas O. Moose, Baton Rouge, Louisiana : 

Sir: — As I occupy a ^wasi-military position under this State, I deem it 
proper to acquaint you that I accepted such position when Louisiana was a 
State in the Union, and when the motto of the seminary was inserted in 
marble over the main door, " By the liberality of the General Government 
of the United States. The Union: Esto Perpetual 

Recent events foreshadow a great change, and it becomes all men to 
choose. If Louisiana withdraws from the Federal Union, I prefer to main- 
tain my allegiance to the old Constitution as long as a fragment of it 
survives, and my longer stay here would be wrong in every sense of the 
word. In that event, I beg you will send or appoint some authorized agent 
to take charge of the arms and munitions of war here belonging to the 
State, or direct me what disposition should be made of them. 

And furthermore, as President of the Board of Supervisors, I beg you 
to take immediate steps to relieve me as superintendent the moment the 
State determines to secede ; for on no earthly account will I do any act, or 
think any thought, hostile to or in defiance of the old Government of the 
United States. 

With great respect, &c, 
(Signed) W. T. Sheeman. 

The resignation was accepted. The professor turned 
his back upon his cadets and upon Louisiana, till he should 
return under the torn and blackened flag of conquest. 
Repairing to St. Louis, he had no employment for liis 
brain or hands. But he was ready for any honest work. 
Mr. Lucas, one of the millionaires of the city, offered him 
the office of superintendent of a street railroad, on a salary 
of two thousand dollars a year. He at once entered upon 



SHERMAN AND THE GOVERNMENT. 



461 



its duties, without a regret that lie liad abandoned the 
halls of military science and a larger reward for his labor. 

With the next spring came the bombardment of Fort 
Sumter. 

Our railroad superintendent at St. Louis thought that 
all observant people must see that a terrible conflict had 
begun, and, like Grant in Galena, left his office to offer his 
services to the Government, and his life, if that should be 
the sacrifice, included in their acceptance. He hastened to 
the nation's capital. Soon after reaching Washington he 
called on Secretary Cameron. 

' ' Mr. Secretary, civil war is imminent, and we are un- 
prepared for it. I have come to offer my services to the 
country in the struggle before us." 

"I think," replied Mr. Cameron, "the ebullition of feel- 
ing will soon subside, we shall not need many troops." 

Indeed, the Secretary was quite surprised, if not an- 
noyed, at the earnestness of Captain Sherman. He next 
sought an interview with the President, and made a simi- 
lar statement and offer to him. The good President was 
inclined to take the whole thing as a joke. After listening 
to the serious enthusiasm expressed in the strong appeal, 
he replied, pleasantly: "We shall not need many more 
like you ; the whole affair will soon blow over." 

He left the Chief Magistrate of a republic whose very 
existence he knew was assailed, with a shadow of disap- 
pointment on his brave, loyal spirit — not lor himself, but 
for the cause near his heart. Friends then advised him to 
go to Ohio and superintend the organization of three- 
months men there. He declared 44 it would be as wise to 
undertake to extinguish the flames of a burning building 
with a squirt gun, as to put down the rebellion with three- 
months troops." 

To talk of any thing less than a gigantic war was to him 
absurd. But he was then nearly alone in his just estimate 
of the struggle. 

The appointment of Captain Sherman to an important 
command was discussed and urged by those who knew 
him best. Said the gallant Sherman: "I do not wish a 
prominent place ; this is to be a long and bloody war." 



462 LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



June 13th, 1861, General McDowell, who appreciated 
Sherman, appointed him Colonel of the Thirteenth In- 
fantry of the regular army, to date from May 14th of that 
year. 

July 21st was fought the bloody battle of Bull Run. 
Writes Colonel Bowman, the friend of Colonel Sherman : — 

£ ' Sherman led his brigade directly up the Warrenton 
road, and held his ground till the general order came to 
retreat. 

44 'It was Sherman's brigade,' says Burnside, 'that ar- 
rived at about twelve and a half o'clock, and by a most 
deadly fire assisted in breaking the enemy's lines.' So 
much for soldierly promptness and strict obedience to 
orders. From the vigor with which Sherman fought his 
brigade, the loss in his four regiments was one hundred 
and five killed, two hundred and two wounded, two 
hundred and ninety-three wounded or missing, with six 
killed and three wounded in the battery, making a total 
of six hundred and nine, the whole division losing eight 
hundred and fifty-nine. The loss of the army, excluding 
prisoners and stragglers, was computed thus : killed, four 
hundred and seventy-nine ; wounded, eleven hundred and 
eleven ; total killed and wounded, fifteen hundred and 
ninety. When the conduct of Sherman had become 
known, the Ohio delegation in Congress unanimously 
urged his immediate promotion. This was easily effected, 
and on the 3d of August, 1861, he was confirmed a briga- 
dier-general of volunteers.' ' 

Colonel Sherman' s brigade was the only one which re- 
tired from the field in order, making a stand at the bridge 
on the track to Washington, to dispute bravely ' ' the right 
of way," should the enemy pursue our panic-stricken 
forces toward the capital. 

General Buckner was at Bowling Green, looking to- 
ward Louisville, where he said he should pass the winter. 
General Sherman was sent to join General Anderson, and 
moved his force to Muldrauglis Hills. Buckner had 
burned the bridge ; the Home Guards were withdrawn ; 
and the enemy's troops numbered twenty-five thousand. 
To retire to Elizabeth town with the five thousand 



GEN. SHERMAN SUCCEEDS GEN. ANDERSON. 



463 



Union soldiers was the best that General Sherman could 
do. 

At this crisis General Anderson resigned his command 
on account of ill health, and the mantle of authority fell on 
General Sherman ; no very desirable honor at that time, 
for "most of the fighting young men of Kentucky had 
gone to join the rebels. The non-combatants were divided 
in sentiment, and most of them far from friendly. He 
lacked men, and most of those he had were poorly armed. 
He lacked, also, means of transportation and munitions of 
war ; and if the rebel generals had known his actual con- 
dition, they could have captured or driven his forces 
across the Ohio in less than ten days. He applied earn- 
estly and persistently for re-enforcements, and, at the same 
time, took every possible precaution to conceal his weak- 
ness from the enemy, as well as from the loyal public. 
At that time newspaper reporters were not always discreet, 
and often obtained and published the very facts that 
should have been concealed. He issued a stringent or- 
der excluding all reporters and correspondents from his 
lines. This brought down upon him the indignation of 
the press. More unfortunately still, he failed to impress 
the Secretary of War with the necessities of his position 
and the importance of holding it. On the 3d of November 
he telegraphed to General McClellan the condition of 
affairs, with the number of his several forces, showing 
them to be everywhere, except at one single point, out- 
numbered, and concluded his dispatch with the emphatic 
remark, ' Our forces are too small to do good, and too 
large to be sacrificed.' 

' ' In reply, General McClellan asks, ' How long could 
McCook keep Buckner out of Louisville, holding the rail- 
road, with power to destroy it inch by inch V — giving no 
hint of a purpose to send re-enforcements, but looking to 
the probable abandonment of Kentucky. Previous to 
this, General Sherman had had an interview with Secre- 
tary Cameron, in presence of Adjutant -General Thomas, at 
Lexington, Kentucky, and fully explained to him the situa- 
tion of his command, and also of the armies opposed to 
him ; and, on being asked what force was necessary for a 



464 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



successful forward movement in his department, answered, 
'Two hundred thousand men.' By the 1st of November, 
Adjutant-General Thomas's official report of this conver- 
sation, in all its details, was published in most of the 
newspapers of the country, giving the enemy full knowl- 
edge of many important facts relating to General Sherman' s 
department. He was too weak to defend his lines ; and 
the enemy knew it. He had no hope of re-enforcements, 
and, withal, was evidently in discredit with the War De- 
partment, as being too apprehensive of the power, strength, 
and resources of the enemy. He, therefore, felt he could 
not successfully conduct the campaign, and asked to be 
relieved. He was succeeded by General Buell, who was 
at once re-enforced, and enabled to hold his defensive 
positions until Grant, the following spring, should advance 
down the Mississippi and up the Cumberland. 

''General Sherman was now set down as 'crazy,' and 
quietly retired to the command of Benton Barracks, near 
St. Louis. The evidence of his insanity was his answer to 
the Secretary of War — that to make a successful advance 
against the enemy, then strongly posted at all strategic points 
from the Mississippi to Cumberland Gap, would require an 
army two hundred thousand strong ! The answer was the 
inspiration or the judgment of a military genius ; but to 
the mind of Mr. Secretary Cameron it was the prophecy 
of a false wizard. 

"Meantime, General Halleck succeeded to the command 
of the Department of the West, and General Sherman was 
not long allowed to remain in charge of a recruiting-ren- 
dezvous at St. Louis. When General Grant moved on 
Fort Donelson, Sherman was intrusted with the forwarding 
to him of re-enforcements and supplies from Paducah. 
General Grant subsequently acknowledged himself ' greatly 
indebted for his promptness' in discharging that dutj T . 
After the capture of that stronghold, General Sherman was 
put in command of the fifth division of Grant's army at 
Pittsb urg Landing. ' ' 

Then followed the battle of Shiioh, the occupation of 
Corinth and of Vicksburg, which have been already given 
in detail. 



GENERAL SHERMAN'S EXPEDITION TO MERIDIAN. 465 



General Sherman could not be idle when there was a 
chance to strike the foe. More than a hundred miles from 
Vicksburg, his head-quarters after its surrender, was the 
town of Meridian, where important railroads have their 
junction, and around which lay rich corn and cotton- 
fields. 

To this town General Sherman determined to lead 
his battalions. To do it, he must cut loose from his base 
of supplies, and traverse an enemy's country — one of his 
first experiments in this kind of warfare. 

It was a most daring adventure, but just like the brave 
commander who conceived it. Comprehending the gigan- 
tic revolt, and the vital points of the Confederacy, he has 
had but one view of the means to suppress the infamous 
rebellion. Had his plan been adopted, the war might have 
been ended now. Large armies, bold and rapid move- 
ments into the home of secession, sparing nothing that 
affords it any nourishment, has been the war-creed of Gen- 
eral Sherman. February found the campaign complete in 
preparation. On the 3d, the commander left the streets of 
Vicksburg, reining his steed toward Meridian. 

Two days before, General W. S. Smith was to leave 
Memphis, Tennessee, with eight thousand cavalry, and 
join him at Meridian. The course of march was in part 
along the track in which the troops advanced on Vicks- 
burg. The cavalcade of twenty thousand men, followed 
by miles of supply- wagons, crossed the Big Black River, 
moved along by Champion Hills and Clinton to Jackson. 
Here General McPherson, with the Sixteenth Corps, and 
General Hurlbut, with the Seventeenth Corps, who had 
taken different routes, met General Sherman, and were 
united to his army. 

At Line Creek, resistance was offered, a short battle 
followed, and again the host moved forward, taking the 
towns of Quitman and Enterprise, on every hand spreading 
alarm. 

February 13 he reached the Big Chunkey River. Me- 
ridian was the next point to be gained, when, with all his 
forces, he could push on, getting between General J ohnston 
and Mobile,^ where Commodore Farragut was thundering 

30 



466 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

with his naval ordnance, and perhaps interfere very much 
with General Polk's army. Meanwhile military depots 
would disappear before the torch, and other havoc with 
supplies distract and cripple the foe. With such suc- 
cesses, it would not be difficult to hasten over the interven- 
ing ground, and hurl his legions against the city from the 
land side, thus finishing the work Commodore Farragufc 
had so well commenced. At Meridian, February 13, one 
hundred and fifty miles from Vicksburg, he congratulated 
his troops in these words : — 

" The General commanding conveys his congratulations 
and thanks to the officers and men composing this com- 
mand, for their most successful accomplishment of one of 
the great problems of the war. Meridian, the great rail- 
way center of the Southwest, is now in our possession, 
and, by industry and hard work, can be rendered useless 
to the enemy, and deprive him of the chief source of sup- 
ply to his armies. Secrecy in plan and rapidity of execu- 
tion accomplish the best results of war ; and the General 
commanding assures all, that, by following their leaders 
fearlessly and with confidence, they will in time reap the 
reward so dear to us all — a peace that will never again be 
disturbed in our country by a discontented minority." 

But as General Grant' s delay at Holly Springs, on ac- 
count of its cowardly surrender, turned the first attack 
upon Vicksburg into a defeat, so, by the failure of General 
Smith to start from Memphis till the 13th of February, the 
further success of the expedition was made impossible. 
Still, the affair was a magnificent raid into the heart of 
"rebeldom," which spread terror along its way, and left 
the ruins of railroads, bridges, and storehouses behind, 
while securing animals and various material for the use of 
the Union army. 

The great commander was now compelled to turn his 
column toward Vicksburg again, which he entered three 
weeks after his departure, having led his troops safely 
across hostile soil more than two hundred and fifty miles, 
surrounded by large armies. March 2d, General Sherman 
reached New Orleans in the gunboat Diana, and, when 
referring to his expedition, termed it "a big raid only." 



THE MILITARY POSITION". 



467 



Before lie had rested Ms heroic men, a law which, had been 
before Congress while he was marching was passed, creat- 
ing the office of lieutenant-general, the President confer- 
ring the honor of it upon Major-General Grant. The same 
order of March 12th gave to General Sherman the com- 
mand before held by the hero of Vicksburg, called the De- 
partment of the Mississippi, and including the smaller De- 
partments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Ten- 
nessee, with the Arkansas. Around him were to stand 
Generals McPherson, Hooker, Thomas, Hurlbut, Logan, 
Schofield, and Howard, the " Havelock of the army." 

The grandest and most decisive campaigns of the war 
were now planned. The Army of the Potomac, command- 
ed by General Meade, was again to start for Richmond, 
under the eyes of the Lieutenant-General ; and the divi- 
sions of General Sherman were to take Atlanta, the former 
the " head, the latter the heart of the Confederacy." 

It was a sublime crisis in the struggle. The two great 
heroes of the conflict had in their hands enterprises worthy 
of their genius, and which would hold the interest of the 
nation and of the world. For, if either of the bold move- 
ments succeeded, the other, it would seem, must ; because, 
beyond the single victory were the vast results of the co- 
operating armies on the coast, from the mouth of the James 
River to Savannah. Immediately on receiving the notice 
of his appointment, in the middle of March, General Sher- 
man began a tour of inspection, visiting Athens, Decatur, 
Huntsviile, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and other places of 
military importance, carefully acquainting himself with the 
extent and resources of the new field of his command. 

The remainder of the great chieftain' s work will be re- 
corded in its proper place from his own pen. 

Major-General George H. Thomas. 

Conspicuous among the loyal men of southern birth 
and associations, and pre-eminent in the field of successful 
heroism, has been General Thomas. 

He was born in Southampton County, Virginia, of a 
wealthy and influential family, July 31, 1816. His father, 



468 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Jolm Thomas, was of Welsh descent, and his mother, 
Elisabeth. Rochelle, from an old Huguenot family. 

After attendance upon the "best schools in that portion 
of the Old Dominion around his home, he was awhile dep- 
uty clerk for his uncle, James Rochelle, succeeding him as 
county clerk, and student at law. 

In the spring of 1836, he was appointed cadet in the 
United States Military Academy at West Point, and en- 
tered the following June. In 1840 he graduated twelfth in 
his class of forty-five, and on the 1st of the following month, 
July, was made second lieutenant in the Third Artillery. 
He joined his regiment in Florida in November, during the 
war with the Indians there; and, for "gallant conduct," 
was bre vetted first lieutenant. In January, 1842, he was 
ordered to the New Orleans Barracks, from which, the 
next June, he was transferred with his regiment to Fort 
Moultrie, in Charleston Harbor. Company C was sent, 
in December, to Fort McHenry, Maryland. Lieutenant 
Thomas went with them. Six months later, he was pro- 
moted to a full lieutenancy, and the next year again at 
Fort Moultrie. 

When the war with Mexico was anticipated, Lieuten- 
ant Thomas was ordered with Company E to Texas, July, 
1845, reporting to General Zachary Taylor. He was with 
the Third and Fourth Regiments of infantry — the first 
United States troops that occupied the soil of Texas. After 
marching to the Rio Grande, he was with the garrison at 
Fort Brown ; and when, on the 2d of May, the Mexicans 
invested it, heroically assisted in its defense, until the 
enemy retired on the 8th. Subsequently, he served in the 
advance-guard at Reynosa and Camargo. He distinguish- 
ed himself in the fiercely-fought battle at Buena Vista, 
receiving the brevet rank of major, two days afterward, 
February 23. Among the first to enter, he was with the 
last to leave the Mexican territory, having under his 
charge, September, 1848, a commissary depot at Brazos 
Santiago. After six months leave of absence, in J une, 
1849, he rejoined his company at Fort Adams, Newport, 
Rhode Island, and on the 31st of July was breve tted cap- 
tain of a company of the Third Artillery. The September 



CAPTAIX THOMAS AT WEST POINT. 



4G3 



succeeding, lie was ordered to Florida again, to aid in 
suppressing an outbreak there. 

December, 1850, he started for Texas ; but orders were 
countermanded at Xew Orleans, sending him to Fort Inde- 
pendence, Boston Harbor. 

From this fortress, March 28th, 1851, he removed to 
West Point, appointed by the Government Instructor of 
Artillery and Cavalry. He remained at the academy three 
years, when, in December, 1853, he "was promoted to a full 
captaincy. Soon he was on his way to California with a 
battalion assigned to Fort Yuma. 

The next year, Congress having authorized four new 
regiments. Captain Thomas was appointed junior major in 
the Second Cavalry, and joined the regiment at Jefferson 
Barracks, Missouri, in the summer of 1855. 

May. 1856, he was again in Texas, and remained there 
four years, commanding the regiment ; and in August, 
1859. accompanied the Texas Reserve Indians to their new 
home in the Indian Territory. 

During the autumn of 1859 and the summer of 1860, he 
was examining the head waters of the Canadian and Red 
Rivers, having one severe and victorious encounter with 
the Indians, in which he was wounded in the face. 

In November, 1860, he had his second leave of absence 
in ticenty years. 

When the Rebellion startled the country, Colonel Tho- 
mas was ordered, in April. 1861, "to Carlisle Barracks, 
Pennsylvania, to remount his regiment, which had been 
betrayed and robbed of its outfit and equipment by Twiggs, 
in his infamous surrender of the entire department under 
his command, after he had received orders relieving him, 
and with indecent haste to anticipate the hourly expected 
arrival of his successor. In May, 1861, he took command 
of a brigade in the Department of Pennsylvania, under 
Major- General Patterson, afterwards the Department of the 
Shenandoah, under Major-General Banks, and continued 
to hold that position until the end of Augnst. On the l?th 
of August he was appointed a brigadier-general of volun- 
teers, and shortly afterward ordered to Kentucky to re- 
port to Brigadier-General Anderson, who gave him the 



470 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



command of Camp Dick Robinson, with about six thou- 
sand new troops. On the 26th of October, a brigade sent 
out by him under Brigadier- General Schoepf defeated the 
enemy under Zollicoffer, in the battle of Wildcat. On the 
18th of January, after a march of nineteen days, oyer 
nearly impassable roads, with part of the First Division of 
the Army of the Ohio, to which General Buell assigned 
him, he met the fierce attack of Zollicoffer, near Mill 
Spring, Kentucky, repulsed it, attacked in his turn, broke 
the enemy and pursued the disordered remnants to the 
Cumberland River, which they crossed during the night, 
abandoning all their artillery and baggage. In March, 
Thomas with his division, now forming the reserve of 
Buell' s army, occupied Nashville, and in April joined the 
rest of that army after the battle of Shiloh, and moved 
with it and Grant' s army on to Corinth. On the 25th of 
April, 1862, he was promoted to be a major-general of 
volunteers, and on the 1st of May his own division was 
transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, and he was as- 
signed by General Halleck to command the five divisions, 
including Sherman's, constituting the right wing of the 
forces before Corinth. After the evacuation of that place, 
by Beauregard, Thomas returned to the Army of the Ohio, 
and was placed on duty as second in command of that 
army, during Bragg' s invasion and the remarkable series 
of movements by which Buell maneuvered it out of Ten- 
nessee, through Kentucky back to Louisville. On the 1st 
of October, he was assigned to the command of the right 
wing of that army, and in that capacity took part in Buell' s 
nominal pursuit of Bragg. On the 5th of November, 1862, 
he was assigned by General Rosecrans, who had just re- 
lieved Buell, to the command of a corps comprising his 
own Third Division, now under Rousseau, and JSTegiey's 
division. At Stone River, on the 31st of December, 1863, 
when Bragg impetuously hurled his entire army against 
Rosecrans' s right, and routed it, Thomas, with Rousseau's 
division unbroken, stood firm, held his ground, and aided 
in the selection of the new line, whose strength enabled 
Rosecrans to turn back the enemy' s second attack on the 
following clay. On the 20th of September, 1863, at the 



GENERAL THOMAS AT CHICKAMAUGA. 



47i 



"battle of Chickamauga, when McCook and Crittenden on 
either flank yielded to the fury of the enemy' s assault, and 
streamed back in such utter rout to Chattanooga, that even 
Hosecrans gave up the day as lost, and hastened thither in 
person to prepare a new line of defense, Thomas, with his 
corps, somewhat later augmented by Granger's division, 
stood like a lion at bay, and, resting his flanks upon the sides 
of the mountain gap, resisted and severely punished every 
attempt of Bragg, either to force his position in front, or to 
turn his flanks. Falling back in the night three miles, to 
a better position, he again formed line of battle, and waited 
all the day of the 21st for Bragg' s expected attack, which 
never came. Having alone saved the Army of the Cum- 
berland from destruction, Thomas was very justly selected 
as the successor of General Rosecrans, when, on the 19th 
of October, it was determined to relieve the latter. On the 
27th of the same month, he was made a brigadier-general 
in the regular army. Faithful over all things, and free 
from all petty desires, when Sherman, his junior in years, 
in experience, in commission, and at no remote period his 
subordinate, was elevated to the command of the Military 
Division of the Mississippi, Thomas yielded a ready ac- 
quiescence in the selection, and a thorough, efficient, and 
essential co-operation in all the plans of his new superior. 
It is characteristic of Thomas that, in the twenty-five years 
that have elapsed since his graduation, he has had but two 
short leaves of absence, one in 1848, and one in 1860, and 
has never been on favored duty of any kind. In his most 
marked traits, Thomas is the antithesis of Sherman, his 
habitual repose of mind and temper being, perhaps, only 
less strongly marked than Sherman's electric restless- 
ness." 

The fame of General Thomas, like the fair solidity of a 
finished column of granite, will attract the admiring but 
calm and untiring interest of mankind — a genuine, digni- 
fied, and abiding greatness. 

Major- General Hugh Judson Kilpateick 
Was born in the home of an enterprising farmer in north- 



472 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

ern New Jersey, in 1838. His mother was one of those 
women whose intellectual force and moral power indelibly 
impress and decidedly mould the character of her children. 

Writes his friend and admirer, Surgeon Moore, of the 
Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry : — 

" As the child of their old age, his parents made every 
effort to afford him those advantages for an education 
which, at such a period, are so important ; his brother and 
two sisters were already grown up. In person he was, in 
youth, small, but active, and fond of athletic sports. 
Providence tenderly watched over his early years, as if 
designing him to work out some important end in the ser- 
vice of his country. The boy is the man in miniature ; so, 
early he manifested a disposition for a military life, and 
love of the 'bubble reputation.' His pulse quickened at 
the sound of martial music and the gleam of glancing arms. 

' £ In his seventeenth year he took part in public meet- 
ings, became immersed in politics, was chosen a delegate 
to the State Convention, and proved himself one of the first 
orators in his native State, and indeed was found to possess 
those gifts to such a degree that, with a mind well culti- 
vated and full of energy, great hopes might be entertained 
of Ms usefulness to the nation. Soon after this period, in 
1855, having found that his congressional district was 
entitled to a representative at the Military Academy, he 
determined to secure the appointment. The person who 
had the power to grant this was the Hon. George Yail, 
Member of Congress from his district. This gentleman's 
term in Congress was near expiring, and his friends and 
party desired and intended to use great efforts for his re- 
election. 

" The young subject of this memoir, with many others, 
was selected to make speeches throughout the district, and 
he spoke in every town and hamlet, and finally attracted 
the attention of his member of Congress, who, after the 
election, which was carried, conferred on Kilpatrick the 
much-coveted appointment. He entered the Academy 
June 20, 1856. 

" The class numbered one hundred and four ; of these, 
fifty graduated, and he the fifteenth in that number. 



CADET KILPATRIOK WHEN" THE "WAR BEGAN". 



473 



"He graduated at that important period when the 
South fired a hostile shot at the Stars and Stripes, long 
venerated and loved by a free nation. 

"Kilpatrick was sitting in his room when this news 
reached the Point, creating the liveliest sensation. The in- 
fluence of this young man, ardent, patriotic, and eloquent, 
was of great benefit to the country ; inasmuch as by it a 
request was made, on the part of thirty-seven of the class 
out of fifty, to be permitted to graduate at once, and take 
the field. 

"Kilpatrick and his friend and classmate, the late 
lamented Colonel Kingsbury, who afterward fell at Antie- 
tam, and Beaumont, a room-mate, drew up his petition, 
addressed to the President, and sent it to Washington. 
The request was granted and the class graduated. It was 
a great day at West Point. The acquaintances of the 
young men were there, proud to see their success, and 
happy too. 

" The young graduate and the lady Alice, to whom he 
was engaged, were standing together at the hotel, when a 
classmate remarked : — ' Kil. is going to the field, and may 
not return. Better get married now.' The advice was 
taken ; the chaplain was at hand — admiring friends around ; 
the mystic knot was tied, and the happy pair started for 
Washington that evening, with the prayers of all for their 
welfare." 

From Fortress Monroe, where he was serving with 
Duryea' s Zouaves as Captain, he led the advance with a 
part of these troops to the field of Big Bethel, where, June 
11th, he was wounded by a grapeshot in the thigh, at the 
head of his braves ; but, bathed in his own blood, he con- 
tinued to charge upon the enemy till exhaustion compelled 
him to leave the field. This was his first battle, and gave 
promise of his subsequent career. 

In the autumn of the same year he obtained the com- 
mission of Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of 
'New York Cavalry, or Harris Light Cavalry. The next 
spring he was with the Army of the Potomac, in its march 
on Manassas ; and when General Pope assumed the com- 
mand, he swept down upon Stonewall Jackson' s communi- 



474 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



cations witli Richmond. Under General Hooker the 
cavalry was first thoroughly organized, and "began to 
change the scorn of the Southern chivalry, at onr ineffi- 
ciency in this arm of the service, to fear for the laurels of 
their own troopers. 

At Brandy Station, May 9th, 1863, Kilpatrick behaved 
splendidly, charging like the incarnation of valor, his clear 
voice ringing over the tumult, and rallying his overborne 
troops when the day seemed lost ; snatching victory from 
apparent defeat. For his daring and success, he was made 
Brigadier- General. 

Under General Meade he was placed in command of 
StahTs division of General Pleasanton's cavalry corps. 

The ' ' ill-considered raid ' ' for the relief of the Union pris- 
oners, with which the the lamented Colonel Dahlgren was 
also connected, was marked by the same dash and good 
fortune that had distinguished his adventures before. 

When General Sherman was planning his great cam- 
paign through Georgia, he selected Kilpatrick, whose fine 
qualities he appreciated, for his cavalry leader ; of whom 
he said in a letter to the yet youthful chief: — "The fact 
that to you, in a great measure, we owe the march of four 
strong infantry columns, with heavy trains and wagons, 
over three hundred miles through an enemy's country, 
without the loss of a single wagon, and without the annoy- 
ance of cavalry dashes on our flanks, is honor enough for 
any cavalry commander." 

His brilliant and entirely satisfactory management of the 
cavalry of General Sherman's army will appear more in 
detail, in his " story of the march." 

Major-General Oliver O. Howard 

Was a native of Leeds, Me., where he saw the light on 
November 8th, 1830. 

After the usual course of preparation for college, during 
which he displayed both the intellectual force and man- 
liness of character which, with Christian principle, have 
entitled him to the high distinction he has attained, of being 
the "Havelock of the American army," he entered Bow- 



COLONEL HOWARD IN THE OPENING CONFLICT. 



475 



doin College in 1846. After his graduation in 1850, he en- 
tered the United States Military Academy at West Point. 
When, in 1854, he completed his course of discipline there, 
the fourth in his class, he was assigned to the Ordnance 
Department, and ordered to Florida. 

Subsequently, he was at Watervliet and Augusta Arse- 
nals, in the same service. For several years "before the re- 
bellion, he was Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the 
Academy at W T est Point. 

When hostilities commenced, he requested of the War 
Department leave to command a regiment from his own 
State, but was denied the privilege. He then tendered his 
resignation, which was accepted. But Maine wanted and 
soon called for her gifted son. Appointed to the command 
of the Third Maine Volunteers, he hastened to Washington, 
and shared in the first great battle of the Republic, at Bull 
Run. His heroism and unpretending worth made him 
conspicuous on that earliest occasion for the exhibition of 
great qualities on the bloody field, insuring for him a Brig- 
adier' s promotion, and the command of a brigade in Gen- 
eral Casey's Provisional Division, then taking care of 
Washington. 

December, 1861, he was assigned to General Sumner's 
command, making it the First Brigade of the distinguished 
division known as the First of the Second Army Corps, 
and accompanied General McClellan to the Peninsula. At 
Fair Oaks, while leading in splendid style a charge, on the 
1st of June, which broke and held in check the enemy, he 
lost his right arm. We shall quote from the record of one 
who knew him in the field, and intelligently appreciated 
him : — 

" Weak and fainting from hemorrhage, and the severe 
shock which his system had sustained, the next day he 
started for his home in Maine. He remained there only 
about two months, during which time he was not idle. 
Yisiting various localities in his native State, he made 
patriotic appeals to the people to come forward and sustain 
the Government. Pale, emaciated, and with one sleeve ten- 
antless, he stood up before them, the embodiment of all that 
is good, and true, and noble in manhood. He talked to 



476 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



them as only one truly loyal can talk — as one largely 
endowed with that patriotism which is a heritage of New 
England blood. Modesty, sincerity, and earnestness char- 
acterized his addresses, and his fervent appeals drew hun- 
dreds of recruits around the National standard. 

" Before he had recovered from his wound, and against 
the advice of his surgeon, he returned to the field, and 
took part in the second battle of Bull Hun, command- 
ing a brigade in the second division of the Second Corps. 
His own brigade was at this time temporarily commanded 
by General Cadwell. At the battle of Antietam, General 
Howard was still in command of the same brigade until 
General Sedgwick was wounded, when he assumed com- 
mand of it at the battle of Fredericksburg, in December, 
1862. In this sanguinary action, the troops of Howard's 
division were the first to effect a lodgment in the town, and 
the last to leave it." 

ISTovember 29th, 1862, General Howard was commis- 
sioned major-general of volunteers, but remained at the 
head of the Second Division until the following April, 
when he was transferred to the command of the Eleventh 
Corps. 

A month later was fought the battle of Chancellorsville, 
The corps failed to do the part expected from it, because 
of the inharmonious elements in subordinate commands, 
and so far as General Howard's responsibility was con- 
cerned, it arose from his brief acquaintance with them, 
and the necessity of leading the forces into the contest 
before he could possibly reorganize them under his own 
authority. Both he and his troops felt the dishonor, and 
determined to retrieve it when the occasion came. But the 
reproach was forgotten in the glory they won on the battle- 
days of Gettysburg. One noble heart was not disappoint- 
ed in this result — Abraham Lincoln' s confidence had never 
for a moment been shaken. He had said when a change in 
the command of the corps was urged, " Howard will bring 
it up to the work, only give him time." After the victo- 
rious struggle at Gettysburg, the President sent him an 
autograph letter of warmest thanks and Congress passed a 
vote of similar import. In September after the disastrous 




MAI CtEK 0. 0_ HOWARD. 



GENERAL HOWARD AND SHERMAN". 



477 



"battle of Chickamauga, in command of the Eleventh 
Corps, General Howard, with Slocum commanding the 
Twelfth, marched toward Chattanooga with General 
Hooker. 

In all the operations of the army which followed, Gen- 
eral Howard was conspicuous for able generalship and 
pure and lofty heroism. 

Wrote the friend whose words have already been 
quoted : — 

" It was here that Generals Sherman and Howard first 
met. Sherman' s greeting was characteristic of the man — 
frank, cordial, and blunt ; Howard' s was quiet, modest, 
and dignified. Temperaments so widely contrasted could 
not but fraternize, so prone are men to be attracted by 
those qualities wherein others differ from themselves. 
From that day they became warm friends, and the confi- 
dence bestowed by Sherman on his more youthful Lieute- 
nant increased to the end of the war. 

" Immediately after these successes, Howard's corps 
accompanied Sherman to Knoxville, to relieve Burnside 
from perils similar to those which had environed Eose- 
crans at Chattanooga. It was a long march, in the month 
of December, and the troops suffered greatly from hard- 
ships endured. 

" The siege of Knoxville being raised and Longstreet 
forced to retire, General Howard, with his corps, returned 
with Sherman to Chattanooga. 

i ' When, early in the spring following, General Sher- 
man organized his army for the grand campaign that had 
for its object the taking of Atlanta, the Eleventh and 
Twelfth Corps were consolidated, under Hooker, and be- 
came the Twentieth Corps. Howard was then assigned to 
the Fourth Corps, which he commanded with signal ability- 
during the long and arduous campaign succeeding. Fight- 
ing was well-nigh continuous, during a period of one hun- 
dred days, embracing the entire summer months. 

" The fidelity and Christian fortitude of General Howard 
were most conspicuous in this campaign. He prayed with 
his command, and fought with them, alternately. His 
unostentatious piety commanded the respect of all. Men 



478 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ioyed him because of his humility as a Christian and 
bravery as a soldier. His higher trust was in God, with 
whom he was wont to commune daily in the seclusion of 
his temporary quarters in the forest : 

"<**** Pure Sincerity 
Delights to kneel in solitude, and feels 
God's presence most where none but 
God upholds.' 

"Profanity closed its lips in his presence, and gambling 
and drunkenness were abashed, and turned away to hide 
themselves at his approach. 

"On one occasion, a wagon-master, whose teams were 
floundering through the bottomless mud of a Georgia 
swamp, became exasperated at the unavoidable delay, and 
indulged in such a torrent of profanity as can only be heard 
in the army or men of his class. General Howard quietly 
approached, unperceived by the offender, and was an un- 
willing listener to the blasphemous words. The wagon- 
master, on turning around, saw his general in close prox- 
imity, and made haste to apologize for his profane outburst, 
"by saying : i Excuse me, General, I did not know you were 
here.' The General, looking a reprimand, replied : 1 I 
would prefer that you abstain from swearing from a higher 
and better motive than because of my presence. ' 

"The perils and fatigues of the campaign from Chatta- 
nooga to Atlanta have never yet been written. During the 
heat of summer, in a semi-tropical climate, and through an 
all-bounding forest, but recently surrendered to civilization 
by the Cherokees, the army fought its way step by step- 
against a force nearly equal, for a distance of one hundred 
and thirty miles. There was abundant need of Christian 
fortitude, and faith in God and the right. Many thousands 
who left Chattanooga with that patriot army, and penetrat- 
ed the undeveloped region, now sleep in obscure graves in 
these pine solitudes. But God was there, as everywhere, 
and such as called on him prayerfully were heard and 
answered with sustaining power. 

"These were among the dark days of the country — 
days when good men had need to pray as well as fight — 



GENERAL HOWARD PROMOTED. 



479 



days when peace with a Union preserved seemed a long 
way off. But ' the night is long that never finds the day.' 
On the 2d of September, 1864, Hood' s army having been 
defeated and put to rout, the Union forces under Sherman 
entered Atlanta in triumph. 

" During a severe battle before Atlanta, on the'22d of 
July, the lamented General McPherson was killed. By 
his death, the command of the army of the Tennessee be- 
came vacant, and General Howard was by Sherman 
appointed to the position. It was a marked honor to con- 
fer upon one of the youngest major-generals in the service, 
and besides, it was setting at nought the prejudices of the 
Western men, by placing over them a general from the 
Potomac army. There were other generals in Sherman's 
command technically entitled to precedence over Howard, 
but their claims were ignored by the commander-in-chief 
for reasons satisfactory to himself. The Army of the Ten- 
nessee was composed exclusively of Western troops, with 
whom Howard had not been immediately identified ; and 
the writer of this remembers with what anxiety the friends 
of General Howard contemplated the result of this appa- 
rent innovation. But, it may be said that the rank and 
file of the Union army have generally fought well under 
any leader, and when it has been otherwise, it has usually 
been owing to incompetency of officers placed over them. 

" On the evening of July 27th, General Howard joined 
his new command, and on the morning of the 28th he 
formed them hastily in position, to repel an attack of the 
combined rebel army, led on by Hood in person. For 
eight hours, in full view of the spires and house-tops of 
Atlanta, the battle raged with impetuous fury. The rebel 
commander, finding it impossible to break through How- 
ard' s lines, withdrew within the fortifications of the city. 
After the battle had ceased, our newly-appointed army 
commander, small of stature and bereft of an arm, rode 
along his lines to congratulate his men on their stubborn 
and successful resistance of the attack. His officers and 
soldiers, elated by their victory, greeted him with un- 
bounded enthusiasm and applause. 

" During the twelve hours he had been in command, 



480 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

lie had secured their entire confidence. They had tried 
him and were satisfied." 

The confidence and love won by General Howard in- 
creased to the last moment of service in the field ; and his 
elevated Christian character, when the army disbanded, 
secured his appointment to the responsible post of chief in 
the Freedmen' s Bureau. 

His clear, well-poised intellect, purity of character, his 
kindness and godliness, invest him with a peculiar and al- 
most solitary distinction in the annals of the war. 

We shall never forget our first meeting with him, upon 
a Sabbath-school celebration, his first public appearance 
after his arm was amputated. He addressed the children 
in his own earnest, happy manner ; the unhealed stump 
vainly attempting to respond, as of old, to the glowing 
thoughts, with its appropriate gesture. His noble purpose 
toward the South is expressed in his own language : — 

"We must do what we can to overcome prejudice and 
opposition, by carrying with us the spirit of Christ into 
every nook and corner of the South, rejoicing over every 
foot of ground gained, and being never discouraged at con- 
tumacy and failure.*' 

Such a man is worthy of all honor — and as Washington 
and Lincoln will be forever associated together— so will be 
Howard and Havelock among the less conspicuous Chris- 
tian heroes of the world. 

Major- General James Birdseye McPherson 

Was a native of Sandusky County, Ohio. He was born 
November 14th, 1828, and entered the Military Academy 
at West Point, in June, 1819. He graduated at the head 
of the same class, with General Schoneld, July 1st, 1853, 
brevet second lieutenant, and was assigned to the Corps 
of Engineers. At the close of his graduating furlough, he 
returned to West Point, and was a year assistant-instruc- 
tor of practical engineering. In December, 1854, he was 
made first-lieutenant, and about the same time detailed as 
assistant- engineer of the defenses of New York harbor. 
The first half of the year 1857, he had in charge the 



JAMES BIRDSEYE McPHERSON. 



481 



"building of Fort Delaware, on the Delaware River, and 
in December went to California, to superintend the con- 
struction of fortifications on Alcatras Island, in the bay of 
San Francisco. The August following the commencement 
of the civil war, he was put in charge of the defenses of 
Boston Harbor, and on the 6th of that month promoted to 
a captaincy. 

The twelfth of the November succeeding, by the re- 
quest of General Halleck, Captain McPherson was made 
aid-de-camp, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was 
ordered to report at St. Louis, where he was assigned to 
engineer duty on the staff of the commander. 

Later, he was chief-engineer on the staff of General 
Grant in the victorious movements against Forts Henry 
and Donelson. His bravery won for him the rank of 
brevet-major in the regular army, and, when the terrific 
battle of Shiloh was fought, gained additional promotion 
to a lieutenant- colonelcy in the regular service. In the 
siege of Corinth, he was chief of engineers on General Hal- 
leck' s staff, with the rank of colonel. After the evacua- 
tion of that place, he was created brigadier-general, the ap- 
pointment dating from November 15th, 1862. 

He was general superintendent of railroads in the De- 
partment of Tennessee, and on General Grant's staff at the 
battle of Iuka. 

He led troops in the fight, for the first time, while the 
rebel general Price was investing Corinth ; cutting his way 
through their lines, he relieved the garrison, and rejoined 
the main force pursuing the enemy. 

So clearly shone the martial genius of the youthful offi- 
cer, that General Grant asked for a major-general's rank, 
which was conferred, October 8th, 1862. The next De- 
cember, he was assigned to the command of the Seven- 
teenth Army Corps. The fall of Vicksburg, in which 
General McPherson sustained his growing reputation for 
ability and heroism, was followed by his promotion to the 
rank of brigadier-general, United States Army, and the 
command of the conquered city. 

His part in the battles connected with this grand achieve- 
ment will appear in the future record of the Potomac army. 

31 



482 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

His exposure to the rebel guns, near Atlanta, and his 
untimely death, as it seems to us, the nation will never 
cease to regret and mourn. 

The touching and fitting tribute of grateful love from 
General Grant is given in the correspondence of the chief 
with the grandmother of the slain hero, in another place. 

Writes a military friend of the departed : — 

"He was tall in person, being over six feet in height, 
well proportioned, and erect, easy, and agreeable in his 
manners, frank in conversation, accessible to all ; gallant 
and dashing in action ; regardless of danger ; strictly 
honorable in all his dealings with men and with the Gov- 
ernment. 

" Schofield, young but matured, well poised, thor- 
oughly scientific by education, thoroughly practical by 
contact with men, habituated to command ; McPherson, in 
the full flower of his life, bold and enthusiastic, just 
emerging from a complete mastery of the science of de- 
fensive war into the wider field of the offensive, trained to 
command under the eye and by the example of Grant and 
Sherman ; Thomas, the ripe growth of years and experi- 
ence, of balanced and crystalized mind, strong and patient, 
steadfast and prudent, a true soldier, no genius, but a 
master of his profession ; exhaustive in preparation, de- 
liberate in action, ponderous and irresistible in execution. 
Such were the men upon whom, under the leadership of 
Sherman, the destiny of the campaign was to rest." 

General McPherson was unquestionably among the 
great military characters brought out by the war. No 
one can tell us what he might have been ; for his life went 
out in the storm of battle before it bloomed into ripest man- 
hood—one of the heroes whose promise was the greatest, 
when the sword dropped from his gallant and dying hand. 

jSTor will the names of Logan, Hooker, Hancock, Slocum, 
Bosecrans, Burnside, Schofield, Hazen, Warren, McCler- 
nand, Terry, Sigel, and Sedgwick, the lion-hearted, be for- 
gotten by a grateful country — a constellation around the 
central double stars, Grant and Sherman— without rival 
splendor in the firmament of fame arching the field of 
national conflict and victory. 



THE GRAND MILITARY FIELD. 



483 



History does not furnish a sublimer war-field for con- 
templation, than now lay before these great captains. 
Calmly, almost silently, the strong intellect and brave 
heart of the chief surveyed the vast territory, the em- 
battled hosts confronting each other, and, without con- 
fusion of thought, or a shadow of doubt respecting the 
issue, laid his gigantic plans, and looked upward for the 
divine benediction upon them. 



484 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE ARMY IN THE WILDERNESS. 

The Order to March. — The Grand Advance. — The "Wilderness. — The Meeting in 
Battle of the Hostile Armies. — The Fighting of Thursday, Friday, and Satur- 
day. — The Midnight March. — The Enthusiastic Welcome of the Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral by the troops. — Sabbath, May 7th. — The Death of Generals Sedgwick and 
Hays. — A Splendid Charge by Hancock's Troops. — Coolness of General Grant. 
— A Pause in the Race for Richmond. — Telegrams from the Seat of War. — The 
Struggle Renewed. — Severe Battle. — The Field. — The Fortunes of the Day. 

The order to march was issued to the Army of the 
Potomac, from General Meade's head-quarters, on the 
morning of May 3d, and "by two o'clock p. m. was read to 
the whole army. The myriad tents disappeared like frost- 
work before the sun ; the knapsacks were packed, the 
horses caparisoned, and the trains in motion. 

General Gregg's cavalry division, accompanied by a 
portion of the canvas pontoon train, moved in the after- 
noon toward Richardsville, and were engaged until late at 
night repairing the roads to Ely' s Ford. Soon after mid- 
night that division moved to the ford named, to establish a 
crossing. About midnight the Third Cavalry Division, 
with another portion of the canvas pontoon train, left for 
Germania Ford, five or six miles above, there to establish 
another crossing ; both efforts were successful. 

The advance of the Second Corps, Major-General Han- 
cock commanding, broke camp at midnight and moved 
down the Stevensburg and Richardsville road toward 
Ely's Ford. The entire corps were on the march before 
three o'clock in the morning, in the same direction, and 
effected a crossing soon after daylight. 

The Fifth Corps, under Major-General Warren, com- 
menced moving at midnight. The advance, consisting of 
two divisions of infantry and a portion of the artillery, 
passed through Stevensburg, closely followed by the 



THE ADVANCE TOWAED RICHMOND. 485 

remainder of the corps ; all marching toward Germania 
Ford. 

The Fifth Corps was closely succeeded by the Sixth, 
under General Sedgwick, which quitted its camp at four 
o'clock, a. m. Both the Fifth and Sixth Corps crossed the 
Kapidan at Germania Ford. 

General Sheridan, commanding the cavalry, encoun- 
tered Stuart's rebel cavalry, and, after heavy fighting, 
drove the enemy back on Orange Court-House. 

General Lee prepared during the night of the 4th for 
battle on the ensuing day. 

On Thursday, May 5th, 1864, the Fifth and Sixth Corps 
were early in motion, and at about eight o'clock, a. m., 
the center of the Fifth Corps had reached the intersection 
of the pike and plank road leading from Fredericksburg to 
Orange Court-House, marked on the maps as ''Wilder- 
ness." This desolate tract of land, about a dozen miles 
long, and five in width, is in Spottsylvania County, Vir- 
ginia, "It is an exceedingly broken table-land, irregular 
in its conformation, and so densely covered with dwarf 
timber and undergrowth as to render progress through it 
very difficult and laborious off the few roads and paths 
that penetrate it. This timber was so effectually an ally of 
the rebels — for they had taken care to take position near 
its edge, leaving us an open country at our back — that a 
whole division drawn up in line of battle might be in- 
visible a few hundred feet off. The knotty character of 
the ground, in conjunction with this timber, also prevented 
us almost entirely from using our artillery, depriving us 
of our undoubted superiority in that arm. At the Wilder- 
ness, is the crossing or intersection of the pike and plank 
roads from Fredericksburg to Orange Court-House, in a 
general southwest direction. These roads are here reached 
by the roads from Culpepper and Brandy Station, via 
Germania Ford ; and at Chancellorsville, four miles and a 
half eastward of the Wilderness, the pike is crossed 
exactly at a right angle by the road from Ely's Ford to 
Spottsylvania Court-House." 

Thursday morning, the army in column was along the 
road to Germania Ford and the pike. The hours wore away, 



486 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and the battalions, wondering at the pause, sought such di- 
versions to beguile the time of suspense as were within 
their reach and suited to their tastes. Officers unrolled 
maps, and consulted together over them. There were no 
sounds nor signals of battle. 

Suddenly, aids from General Sheridan's horsemen, who 
had been pushing southeastward, come back with dis- 
patches. General Meade, a tall, thin man, a litle stooping 
in the shoulders, breaks the seal, and reads. The next 
moment he turns to General Grant, remarking : 

" They say that Lee intends to fight us here." 

"Very well," coolly replies General Grant. 

Then they step aside and talk. The Lieutenant- General 
smokes, and whittles in musing mood while he converses. 

He now changes the direction of the cutting from him y 
and with quicker motion. He has matured his plan. Ac- 
tion will swiftly follow. 

Like the collision of rushing engines will be the shock, 
Lee is determined to crush through, and break the equally 
resolute ranks of our unshrinking "boys." 

Warren' s column moved toward a hill near the Wil- 
derness Tavern, and soon its summit was the head-quarters 
of the army. 

Then came the falling shot, the rattle of picket-firing, 
and the louder report of the skirmish, followed in a brief 
period by the opening of general battle. 

The rebels knew the ground, and suddenly charging 
upon a brigade of Griffin' s division before it was fairly 
formed, captured two guns. After noon, the lion-hearted 
Sedgwick's battalions met the rebel tide of battle, and 
grandly checked its threatening progress. 

On the left, the brave Hancock took charge of Long- 
street, and showed how "Yankee hirelings" could fight. 
It was a day of blood, whose descending sun fell on un- 
numbered gaping wounds, and upon many glazing eyes y 
which were bright in the splendor of his rising. 

General Grant was in the field, silent, cool, and confi- 
dent of ultimate success. 

Friday renewed the awful carnage, whose fiercest work 
was done by Hancock' s corps. Back the superior forces 



TITE CARNAGE OF FRIDAY. 



487 



of Longstreet pressed Mm to his breastworks, then like the 
billow returning from the unyielding shore, the enemy 
were compelled to fall back, wasted by the unsuccessful 
onset. The rebel and the Union dead were piled together. 
Next, Sedgwick entered the arena of unsurpassed valor 
and death. 

The twilight hour lulled the tumult of the fray, and 
nature seemed to breathe calmly again, relieved from the 
horrors of the human struggle for victory. But the deep- 
ening stillness was broken by unexpected volleys of mus- 
ketry, followed by the yells rebels could only raise — and 
our right was turned— Generals Seymour and Slater were 
overborne, and the day seemed lost. 

Providentially, Sedgwick was at hand, and, when 
the force of the first charge was spent, re-formed his 
corps, and beat the enemy backward from his breast 
works. 

The terrors of the scene were tightened by a stampede 
of straggling soldiers, extending to the teamsters, until the 
wildest confusion spread for half an hour before order 
could be restored. 

An hour before midnight, another desperate assault was 
made on Warren' s corps, before which heroism itself was 
forced to give way. 

Meanwhile, the trains uninterruptedly moved onward, 
and by the dawn nearly all had passed to the left of the 
right center. The wounded were also removed in the same 
direction. 

Disaster, but not defeat, was the record of the memor- 
able 6th of May. The enemy, determined at the outset 
not to let General Grant get through the Wilderness, was 
defeated in his design, and in every battle failed to crush 
or fatally cripple the Union army. The general result, 
in its bearing on future success, was a victory to the 
cause of the Republic. 

In this day's engagement, Brigadier-General James S. 
Wads worth, of New York, an able and noble officer, fell 
mortally wounded into the hands of the enemy ; and, a few 
hours later, Brigadier-General Alexander Hays was killed. 
The entire Union loss for the two days' fighting, in killed, 



488 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



wounded and missing, was fifteen thousand, and the rebel 
sacrifice certainly equal in number. 

The rebel columns had turned the right flank of the 
Union army, and the fighting, with any prospect of success, 
was over there. Germania Ford was within the enemy's 
grasp, and, with the fearful slaughter, the gain upon his 
right seemed a small purchase with so much bloodshed. 
Still, it w^as a great fact, that the Potomac Army was not 
thrown backward from its grand object ; nor had the 
onsets of the hostile battalions broken its lines. 

General Grant' s faith in the righteous cause, and its hast- 
ening success, was unshaken by the indecisive results ; and 
during the night he calmly carried forward his flanking 
movement on Lee's position, by contracting his lines on the 
right, and extending his left to the south, threatening the 
enemy's communication with Richmond. A change of 
base was made to the Rappahannock and Fredericksburg. 
By these skillful movements, General Lee was unable to 
profit by his success on our right, while General Grant se- 
cured a similar, yet bloodless, victory over his antagonist. 

The great rebel chieftain, though foiled and chagrined, 
" promptly accepted the gage of battle thus thrown down," 
and hastened to a strong position which had been prepar- 
ed for the emergency, near Spottsylvania Court-House. 
Both armies were at this time so far out of the Wilderness 
that artillery could be employed with effect. 

Saturday dawned, and General Grant was ready to fight ; 
but no signs of conflict appeared along the rebel lines, 
beyond a little skirmishing during the morning ; when, 
assured of the advance of the Confederate columns, he pre- 
pared for the chase. Anticipating the dodge, Grant had 
sent Sheridan with his cavalry on the road through Spott- 
sylvania Court-House, to Granger's Station and Hanover 
Court-House, encountering Fitzhugh Lee, who offered 
a fierce resistance. Before night, Stuart's cavalry corps 
protected the right flank of General Lee's army, which 
General Grant hoped to turn. The preparation now went 
forward to put the entire army in motion along the irreg- 
ular line of flanking toward Richmond. It was the pur- 
pose of the Chief to make time by forced marches, and iir 



PREPARATIONS FOR ANOTHER ADVANCE. 



489 



terior lines, with -a "bold front pressing vigorously upon 
the enemy when necessary, to reach Richmond before 
General Lee ; or, if compelled to meet him in decisive bat- 
tle, defeat him, and then, with comparative ease, capture 
the rebel capital. 

The setting sun of Saturday night, May 6th, was reflected 
from the arms of the infantry on the march, to anticipate, 
if possible, the foe, by turning his right flank. 

The Ninth Army Corps led in the cavalcade a short dis- 
tance, then halted to let General Warren pass with the 
Fifth. 

This movement opened one of the most romantic and 
impressive scenes in the marches of a vast army. From 
that sunset hour till midnight, the columns of the Potomac 
Army were getting into marching order — the ranks quietly 
emerging like spectral processions from their entrenchments 
— and the cavalry wheeling into position to protect the 
flank, as the Sixth and Second Corps formed the rear. 

At eight o'clock, General Grant and staff left head- 
quarters, and dashed along the lines of the corps nearest 
the enemy. Startled by the rattle of musketry, he halted 
at General Hancock's head-quarters to send out scouts, 
who soon learned that it was only picket-firing, provoked 
by the shouts of the rebels, which were raised in reply to 
those of our own troops. 

Then the Lieutenant- General hurried on through forest 
paths, and along by-roads, to avoid the moving columns, 
and almost interminable wagon trains, his escort trailing be- 
hind him, in the shadowy distance, as at Chattanooga, like 
the " tail of a kite," on the air of a night disturbed only by 
the grim pageantry of Mars. The early Sabbath solitude 
was broken by the tramp of myriad feet, the clatter of 
hoofs, and the rumble of numberless wheels. The magnifi- 
cent engine of war, whose living soul was still inspired 
with the old and awakening watchward, " On to Rich- 
mond !" was again moving down upon the front and heart 
of rebellion. Whenever the Chief galloped by a body of 
troops, if in the darkness it was discovered that he was 
passing, a shout of wildest enthusiasm rang along the 
columns, and died away upon his ear only when distance 



490 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



made the welcome of loyal hearts inaudible. He reached 
Todd's Tavern soon after midnight, and established his 
head -quarters there. 

JSe&v the old battle-field of Chancellorsville, the wagon 
train, covering an immense area, encamped — the indispens- 
able, yet peaceable, caravan of a moving army. 

When the Sabbath sun was above the horizon, General 
Warren's corps was two and a half miles from Spottsyl- 
vania Court-House, having passed Todd' s Tavern during the 
night. This fine corps at once relieved the cavalry, while 
the rebel General Longstreet performed the same service 
for the enemy' s cavahy under Stuart. 

The Fifth Corps, although tired with the night' s march, 
went into action on the double-quick, General Eobinson's 
division leading the charge in the resistless onset upon the 
enemy. For three miles the rebels yielded the ground to 
the resolute columns of Warren. The heroic Robinson 
was wounded, and the entire Union losses that day reached 
about one thousand three hundred. 

The charge was so impetuous that the troops found 
themselves outflanked on the left, and fell back to re-form 
their lines. 

Many of the men, exhausted, retired, but soon our 
artillery forced the enemy from the position he had gained. 

The Fifth Corps was terribly cut up, scarcely a divi- 
sion being left in fighting condition. The army had ad- 
vanced to within two and a half miles of Spottsylvania 
Court-House, but another desperate struggle must come 
between it and that point, before the place could be ours. 
The Sabbath dawned, and over the vast field of war, 
through the sacred hours, were scenes of touching interest. 
There were tents of prayer — dying victims — and words 
of Christian hope and cheer spoken to the thousands pre- 
paring for battle again. Men are thoughtful in the pauses, 
and on the eve of the deadly conflict. 

When the sun sank to the golden gate of the West, in 
the softened light, the silent, thoughtful leader of freedom' s 
legions, rode off to the front to get one more view of the 
exact position, and to inspire his troops with enthusiasm 
for the impending struggle for the capital of treason. Be- 



CONTEST AT SPOTTSYLVANIA COURT-HOUSE. 491 



fore he readied the left flank, the sudden, sharp rattle of 
musketry, and the staggering backward of wounded men 
told the story of opening strife. 

About seven o'clock a shout rang out of the woods as 
our columns emerged from the concealment, led by Gen- 
eral Wright' s division. 

In half an hour the steady roar of the contest, rising 
from the gloom of the pine forest, began to fluctuate, and 
then died away. The foe had given way, but night still 
protected the rebel occupation of Spottsylvania Court 
House. 

Monday found the rations low. The caravan of supply 
wagons arrived at the moment of need. The hours flew, 
and an onset was made upon divisions of our forces, with 
no result besides sacrifice of human life. Look off to that 
conspicuous spot in the line of conflict. There, among the 
artillery of his corps, stands the cool, intrepid, accom- 
plished Sedgwick. He is directing the gun-mounting. 
The bullets of the sharpshooters whistle around him. The 
artillerymen involuntarily dodge. General Sedgwick 
smiles, and says: "Don't duck, men. They couldn't hit 
an elephant that distance." The words scarcely escape 
his hps, before a well-directed ball pierces his head. He 
falls into the arms of his adjutant ; the bloody foam 
wreathes those lips ; a smile follows, and all is over. 
One of the bravest and noblest of the army ; after three 
years of successful service, has yielded up his manly life. 

Now, with advancing night, several divisions of Grant' s 
troops crossed the branches of the Mattapony, and the 
struggle was renewed. Every step of progress was 
stained with blood. Like a half moon lay the white tents 
and the battle array of the rebel host around Spottsylvania 
Court-House. Over against them, with broader curve, was 
the Union army ; both waiting and yet preparing for 
another general combat. 

A train of ambulances, containing thirteen thousand 
wounded, while on the way to Ely's Ford, was attacked 
and compelled to return ; but at length reached Fredericks- 
burg, whose dwellings immediately became hospitals for 
the bleeding heroes. 



492 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Tuesday was a day of slaughter. A part of the Fifth 
Corps was sent to dislodge the rebels from a copse on its 
right ; and bravely they went in — advancing by brigades. 

Oh ! what a battle- storm raged, till the darkness cur- 
tained the Golgotha, and stilled the roar of the cannonade 
that rolled over it ! 

On Wednesday morning General Grant sent his first 
dispatch to Washington, which reveals his full apprecia- 
tion of the deadty havoc made in his ranks, and also his 
unyielding courage and hope : — 

Head-Quaktees in the Field, May 11, 1864—8 a. m. 
We have now ended the sixth day of very heavy "fighting. The result, 
to this time, is much in our favor. 

Our losses have been heavy as well as those of the enemy. I think the 
loss of the enemy must be greater. 

We have taken over five thousand prisoners by battle, whilst he has 
taken from us but few, except stragglers. 

I propose to fight it out on this line, if it takes all summer. 

U. S. Geant, 

Lieutenant-General Commanding the Armies of the United States. 

Among the killed, was the Christian hero, Brigadier- 
General Rice. He sent to his wife, before he fell, the 
patriotic words, " I have been true to my country." When 
his life was ebbing away, he desired to have his face 
turned toward the enemy. And better still, an expression 
of character, when asked by a delegate of the Christian 
Commission how the great Captain of our salvation ap- 
peared then, he replied, " Oh ! Jesus is very near !" Such 
was one of many scenes lighting up the horrors of this 
tremendous war. 

General Lee sent a flag of truce, asking for a cessation 
of hostilities for forty-eight hours, to give him time to bury 
his dead. General Grant replied that he had not time to 
inter his own dead, but should advance without delay. 
The woods, where the enemy's center had been, were 
shelled, eliciting no response. 

More than four thousand rebel bodies, ghastly with 
every form of war' s mortality, lay in winrows and heaps 
upon the soil over which the living tide of loyalty had 
surged, sweeping before it the hosts of rebellion, and leav- 



A SPLENDID CHARGE. 



493 



ing a large company of the slain sons of the Republic in 
its wake. 

That night the Second Corps was once more ordered 
to the left, taking position between the Sixth and Ninth 
Corps. Another flanking movement was arranged, to 
force the rebels from their works at Spottsylvania Court- 
Honse ; and its direction, as before, was to be by the left 
flank, the brave Hancock' s corps doing the work. 

May 12th was one of the great war's greatest days in 
the heart of the Old Dominion. 

Amid the silence and darkness that preceded its dawn, 
the Second Corps had left their position, and, stealing with 
hushed footfall over the field, had reached the line of in- 
trenchments in front, held by Ewell's corps. The flush 
of day reflected the glitter of their arms almost blending 
with that of the hostile bayonets. Soon after, the bugle- 
note of the charge rang out upon the vernal air. A shout 
rose to the smiling heavens, and, before the slumbering 
foes knew what the outcry meant, Hancock' s braves were 
pouring over the intrenchments, and flourishing the butts 
of their muskets around the heads of the startled rebels. 

The firing was the least important part of the attack, in 
the rapid movement. Before the inmates of the shelter- 
tents, near the works, could fly from them, our troops 
were there, surrounding and holding them till they sur- 
rendered, without further resistance — bewildered, helpless 
prisoners of war. The ordnance of the foe stood unlim- 
bered and undischarged in the hands of the Union troops ; 
and the commanders, Stewart and Johnson, with thirty 
pieces of ordnance, were taken. The rebel chiefs were 
escorted to General Grant' s head-quarters at seven o' clock 
in the morning. Johnson was received courteously and 
conversed freely with the Union commanders, alluding to 
the former years of association of hostile leaders with them 
at West Point. 

At nine o'clock, on Hancock's right, the artillery fire 
was fearful. The glory of the night's success, already 
recorded, was heightened by the advance of this stormy 
morning. Onward the columns pressed, and backward 
slowly retired the rebels. 



494 LIFE Als T D CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

An incident occurred during the morning that illus- 
trates the coolness and self-possession of the Commander- 
in-chief of the Armies of the United States. While the 
heaviest artillery firing was in progress, General Grant 
was standing, in company with General Meade, near a fire, 
talking and endeavoring to keep themselves dry, when a 
rebel shell struck within a few feet of the twain. A dis- 
position to move was manifested on the part of a number 
of officers standing around, when General Grant, looking 
slowly around, and fixing his eye on the spot where the 
shell struck, asked at once for a pocket compass, which, 
being furnished, he examined the course of the shell, 
found out the location of the battery, and it was not long 
before shells were thick among the men working said bat- 
tery. 

In the afternoon, General Meade advanced on the left 
of Lee, flanking his right, and pouring into the ranks of 
his desperate men an incessant fire of the artillery. The 
terrific carnage rose in its havoc and fell by turns, till the 
evening darkened over the ensanguined field. 

Learning that the Union troops were holding in. check 
re-enforcements on their right, and moving down upon 
their right, the rebels made haste to assault our left. For 
fourteen hours the awful strife went on, till ten thousand 
on each side were slain or wounded. 

General Grant sent his second message to Washington : 

Spottsylvania C. H., May 12, 1865. 

The eighth day of battle closes, leaving between three and four thou- 
sand prisoners in our hands for the day's work, including two general 
officers and over thirty pieces of artillery. 

The enemy is obstinate, and seems to have found the last ditch. We 
have lost no organization, not even a company, while we have destroyed 
and captured one division, one brigade, and one regiment entire of the 
enemy. 

U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

In the night, General Lee advanced on the right, and 
southwardly, followed by his watchful adversary on Fri- 
day. A dismal storm set in, drenching the living and the 
dead. The telegrams which went over the wires at this 



DISPATCHES FROM THE BATTLE-FIELD. 495 



crisis of military affairs will afford an outline view of the 
work accomplished in the held, of which Richmond was 
the grand prize of combat: — 

Washington, May 14 — 4 p. m. 

To Major-General Cadwaladee: 

Dispatches from General Grant, dated yesterday evening, at six o'clock, 
have reached this Department. The advance of Hancock yesterday devel- 
oped that the enemy had fallen hack four miles, where they remained in 
X^osition. There was no engagement yesterday. We have no account of 
any general officers heing killed in the battle of the preceding day. Colonel 
Carroll wa3 severely w r ounded. 

A dispatch has just been received from General Sherman, dated near 
Resaca, May 14. It states that, by the flank movement on Resaca, John- 
ston had been forced to evacuate Dalton, and our forces were in his rear 
and flank. The weather was fine, and the troops in fine order, all working 
well, and as fast as possible. 

ISTo intelligence has been received from General Butler. Guerrillas have 
broken the telegraph lines between Williamsburg and Old Jamestown. 
This is believed to be the reason why no report has been received from 
him. 

Dispatches from General Sigel report him to be at Woodstock. The 
rumor that he had broken the railroad between Lynchburg and Charlottes- 
ville is not true. 

Our wounded are coming in from Belle Plain as fast as the transports 
can bring them. 

Grant's army is well supplied. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

General Meade has issued the following congratulatory 
address to his troops : — 

Head-Quarters Army of the Potomac, May IS, 1864. 

Soldiers : — The moment has arrived when your commanding general 
feels authorized to address you in terms of congratulation. 

For eight days and nights, almost without intermission, in rain and sun- 
shine, you have been gallantly fighting a desperate foe, in positions natu- 
rally strong, and rendered doubly so by intrenchments. 

You have compelled him to abandon his fortifications on the Rapidan, 
to retire and attempt to stop your onward progress, and now he has aban- 
doned the last intrenched position so tenaciously held, suffering a loss in 
all of eighteen guns, twenty-two colors, and eight thousand prisoners, 
including two general officers. 

Yonr heroic deeds and noble endurance of fatigue and privations will 
ever be memorable. Let us return thanks to God for the mercy thus 
shown us, and ask earnestly for its continuation. 

Soldiers ! your work is not yet over. The enemy must be pursued, and, 



496 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



if possible, overcome. The courage and fortitude you have displayed ren- 
der your commanding general confident your future efforts will result in 
success. 

While we mourn the loss of many gallant comrades, let us remember 
the enemy must have suffered equal, if not greater, losses. 

We shall soon receive re-enforcements, which he cannot expect. Let 
us determine to continue vigorously the work so well begun, and, under 
God's blessing, in a short time the object of our labors will be accom- 
plished. 

George G. Meade, Major-General commanding, 
Official— S. Williams, A. A.-G. 

(Approved) U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General commanding 

the Armies of the United States. 

War Department, Washington, May 14, 1864. 

Major-General Dix : 

The following telegrams have just reached this Department from Gen- 
eral Butler. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War 

Half-way House, May 14 — 3 a. m. 
To Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : 

We are still before the base of the enemy's works at Drury Bluff, Fort 
Darling. 

The enemy are still here in force. 

General Gillmore, by a flank movement, with a portion of his corps 
and a brigade of the Eighteenth Corps, assaulted and took the enemy's 
works on their right at dusk last evening. It was gallantly done. 

The troops behaved finely. 

We held our lines during the night, and shall move this morning again. 
(Signed) Benj. F. Butler, Major-General. 

Head-Quarters, Half-way House, May 14 — 10 a. m. 

To Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : 

General Smith carried the enemy's first line on the right, this morning, 
at eight o'clock. The loss was small. 

The enemy have retired into three square redoubts, upon w T hich we are 
now bringing our artillery to bear with effect. 

(Signed) Benj. F. Butlee, Major-General commanding. 

"Cavalry Sheridan" does well his part : — 

Washington, May 14 — midnight. 

To Major-General Cadwalader : 

An official dispatch from General Sheridan, dated Bottom Bridge, via 
Fortress Monroe, May 13th, states that on the 9th instant he marched 
around the enemy's right flank, and on the evening of that day reached 



SECRETARY STANTON'S REPORT OF AFFAIRS. 497 



the North Anna River without serious opposition. During that night lie 
destroyed the enemy's depot at Beaver Dam, three large trains of cars, and 
one hundred cars, two fine locomotives, two hundred thousand pounds of 
bacon, and other stores, amounting in all to a million and a half of rebel 
rations ; also, the telegraph and railroad track for about ten miles, embrac- 
ing several culverts, and recaptured three hundred and seventy-eight of 
our men, including two colonels, one major, and several other officers. 

On the morning of the 10th, he resumed operations, crossing the South 
Anna at Grand Squirrel Bridge, and went into camp about daylight. 

On the 11th he captured Ashland Station. At this point he destroyed 
one locomotive and a train of cars, an engine-house, and two or three gov- 
ernment buildings, containing a large amount of stores. He also destroyed 
six miles of railroad, embracing six culverts, two trestle bridges, and the 
telegraph wires. About seven o'clock, a. m., of the 11th, he resumed the 
march on Richmond. He found the rebel Stuart with his cavalry concen- 
trated at Yellow Tavern, and immediately attacked him. After an obsti- 
nate contest, he gained possession of the Brockle Turnpike, capturing two 
pieces of artillery, and driving the enemy's forces back toward Ashland 
and across the north fork of the Chickahominy — a distance of four miles 
At the same time a party charged down the Brock road and captured the 
first line of the enemy's works around Richmond. During the night he 
marched the whole of his command between the first and second line of 
the enemy's works, on the bluffs overlooking the line of the Virginia Cen- 
tral Railroad and the Mechanicsville Turnpike. After demonstrating against 
the works and finding them very strong, he gave up the intention of 
assaulting, and determined to recross the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge. 
It had been partially destroyed by the enemy, but was repaired in about 
three hours, under a heavy artillery fire from a rebel battery. General 
Merritt made the crossing, attacked the enemy, and drove him off hand- 
somely, the pursuit continuing as far as Gaines's Mill. The enemy, observ- 
ing the recrossing of the Chickahominy, came out from his second line of 
works. A brigade of infantry and a large number of dismounted cavalry 
attacked the divisions of Generals Gregg and Wilson ; but, after a severe 
contest, were repulsed and driven behind their works. Gregg and Wil- 
son's divisions, after collecting the wounded, recrossed the Chickahominy 
on the afternoon of the 12th. The corps encamped at Walnut Grove and 
Gaines's Mill. 

At nine o'clock, a. m., of the 13th, the march was resumed, and our 
forces encamped at Bottom Bridge. The command is in fine spirits. The 
loss of horses will not exceed one hundred. All the wounded were brought 
off except about thirty cases of mortally wounded, and these were well 
cared for in the farm-houses of the country. The wounded will not exceed 
two hundred and fifty, and the total loss not over three hundred and fifty. 
The A T irginia Central Railroad bridges over the Chickahominy, and other 
trestle-bridges, one sixty feet in length, one thirty feet, and one twenty 
feet, and the railroad for a long distance south of the Chickahominy, were 
destroyed. Great praise is given the division commanders, Generals 
32 



498 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Gregg, Wilson, and Merritt, Generals Custer, and Davies, and Colonels 
Gregg, Divine, Chapman, Mcintosh, and Gibbs, brigade commanders. All 
the officers and men behaved splendidly. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of "War. 

Such was the posture of affairs when the Secretary re- 
received over the wires, trembling to the messages of a 
nation's struggle for life, "at noon of night," the words of 
cheer from the heroes of the battle-field. 

Friday, May 14th, the opposing armies again met in the 
shock of battle. The corps of Burnside and Hancock ad- 
vanced upon Lee's right wing, covering Spottsylvania 
Court-House. 

Over a broken, hilly, piny wilderness, where no man 
could walk erect, and crowded with rifle-pits, with unfal- 
tering steps the "boys" moved forward, pushing the 
enemy backward to his main line of intrenchments. 

There were deeds of unrivaled valor before the sun of 
Friday set. Three regiments of Hartrauft' s brigade were 
flanked on the left, and nearly surrounded ; but upon the 
demand to surrender, refused, and fought hand-to-hand 
for their colors, until resistance was in vain, and a part of 
the troops were taken prisoners. Three thousand Union 
troops had fallen in this engagement. 

Saturday was a pause after the strife of eight long 
hours, while General Grant' s sleepless watch of his great 
antagonist made the comparative quiet most valuable to 
him in the modification of his plans, to meet the changed 
aspect of the field. 

Both armies were busy burying those who had fought 
their last battle, and heeded not the war of elements which 
drenched but could not cleanse the crimsoned soil. In- 
trenchments were thrown up, and, excepting a little skir- 
mishing, the embattled hosts rested from the harvest of 
death. 



ARRIVAL OF RE-ENFORCEMENTS. 



499 



CHAPTER XXIV 

THE DEEPENING CONFLICT. 

The Struggle renewed. — General Grant's skillful Movements of his Army. — Cold 
Harbor. — The grand March to the James River. — Assault on Petersburg — 
Incidents. — Burnside's Mines. — Naval Victories. — General Grant and the Grand- 
mother of General MePherson. — General Sherman and Affairs in the South- 
west 

The interlude of quiet had its own unwritten history of 
sad and cheerful scenes — the erection and marking of head- 
boards to many graves ; the painful transmission of the 
fate of the killed, wounded, and captured, to the scattered 
homes they left in the strength of manhood ; the messages 
of love from the uninjured ; the chapel- tent scenes of 
prayer and praise — all filled up the soldiers leisure 
moments. The 18th of May "broke the rest of the great 
armies. 

General Grant had prepared, during the previous night, 
for an attack upon his unyielding antagonist, by massing 
his forces on Lee' s left, to break it, if possible, and turn it 
— a bold movement, the more hopeful because unexpected 
from that quarter by the foe, who supposed that portion of 
the line to have been quite abandoned for any decisive work. 

On this early spring morning the assault began ; but 
the enemy was not unprepared for it. The rifle-pits cap- 
tured on the 12th were retaken, and then came the stern 
resistance which opened again the sanguinary contest. 
General Wright's Sixth Corps was on the right, and next 
the Second Corps, and, further to the left, a portion of 
Burnside's corps. The useless havoc of the attempt to 
scale the works in the fire of the rifle-pits was abandoned, 
and a few days of rest followed, during which twenty-five 
thousand fresh and excellent troops were added to the 
Army of the Potomac. 

May 20th, the army was once more in motion. The 



500 



LIFE A2JD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



unequaled flanker was again upon his enemy, and soon 
forced him out of Spottsylvania Court-House, making a 
retreat toAvard his capital behind North Anna River. Our 
pursuit was close, and attended by an attack resulting in 
but little loss to us, and a repulse to the rebels. 

Lee, finding he was fairly flanked again, retired to the 
South xlnna, where he was protected by strong fortifica- 
tions. Avoiding collisions by another flank movement, 
in the direction of Hanover Junction, the thwarted chief 
was compelled to evacuate his stronghold. 

The 27th, G-eneral Sheridan, with two divisions of 
cavalry, seized Hanover Ferry and Hanovertown, the 
crossing-places on Pamunkey River. 

Two days later, the whole army was over the stream, 
and in position three miles from its banks. Thus was an- 
other of General Grant's brilliant and daring maneuvers 
crowned with complete success. On Sunday, the 29th, his 
army was encamped in a fertile country, within fifteen 
miles of Richmond. By this admirable movement, he not 
only turned Lee' s works on the Little River and the South 
Anna, and avoided the hazard of crossing those two 
strongly defended rivers, but made himself master of the 
situation with regard to his new base of supplies. He was 
furthermore left entirely free as to the route by which he 
would attack Richmond, and be in full communication and 
co-operation with the column under General Butler. All 
this was accomplished within twenty-four days from the 
day when he struck tents at Culpepper Court-House. 

What enormous strides he made toward the heart of 
the rebellion within that brief period, and all by disembar- 
rassing his movements of the necessity of looking back to 
one inflexible line of communications and one unchanging 
base of supplies. This was his simple strategy, though 
the execution of it was as brave and brilliant as its con- 
ception was bold and original. It was this same strategy 
that made the march from Bruinsburg to Vicksburg one 
unbroken series of victories. 

" He was master of the Peninsula without having uncov- 
ered Washington for a single hour, and without having 
created the necessity of leaving one-fourth of his army be- 



THE CONDITION AT THE EXD OF MAY. 



501 



hind for the defense of that city. He had uncontrolled 
choice of a line of attack on Richmond on every side but 
one. His cavalry had traversed the whole county, and 
knew all the roads and all the topography. He had com- 
munication with General Butler's force, and could unite 
the two armies whenever the occasion demanded. And 
finally he could supply his troops "by the Pamunkey or the 
James at his own option. These results were the achieve- 
ments of a master hand in the art of war. 

This removal of the seat of war from the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad to the very walls of Richmond com- 
pleted a cycle of two years in the history of the rebellion. 
Hanover, White House, Cold Harbor, Shady Grove 
Church, are names with which we were familiar on the 
31st of May, 1862. Then, however, every stream, every 
swamp, every line of rifle-pits brought our forces to a halt, 
until days ran into weeks, and weeks into weary months 
of waiting. But now the great column moved irresistibly 
on, for at its head there was a skillful and active soldier, a 
man who knew no such word as halt after he once was in 
motion, and was appalled by no obstructions, and least of 
all by phantoms. 

Such was the posture of the contending armies at 
the close of the great battle-month of May. 

General Lee's anticipated path of march for General 
Grant was undisturbed by the tramp of the legions of the 
Republic, and the Napoleon of the rebellion was compelled 
to see his visions of victory fade before the humiliation of 
a new and more doubtful field of contest, nearer than ever 
ihe walls of Richmond. 

During the month of sanguinary progress by the Poto- 
mac Army, General Sherman's splendid columns had been 
sweeping down upon Atlanta, in the Southwest, making 
Buzzard's Roost, Dalton, and Resaca, historical names by 
the victories and the strategy of the resistless advance 
toward the Georgia stronghold. 

With June came the fiercely -fought battles of Cold 
Harbor. On the 4th, General Grant telegraphed to the 
War Department the following statement : — "About seven 
P. M., of Friday, June 3d, the enemy suddenly attacked 



502 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Smith' s brigade of Gibbons 1 s division. The battle lasted 
with great fury for half an hour, and the attack was 
unwaveringly repulsed. At six p. m., Wilson, with his 
cavalry, fell upon the rear of a brigade of Heth' s division, 
which Lee had ordered around to his left, apparently with 
the intention of enveloping Burnside. After a sharp but- 
short conflict, Wilson drove them from their rifle-pits 
in confusion. He took a few prisoners. He had previously 
fought with and routed Gordon' s brigade of rebel cavalry. 
During these fights he lost several officers, among them 
Colonel Preston, First Vermont Cavalry, killed ; Colonel 
Benjamin, Eighth New York Cavalry, seriously wounded. 
General Stannard, serving in the Eighteenth Corps, was 
also severely wounded. Our entire loss in killed, wound- 
ed and missing during the three days' operations around 
Cold Harbor did not exceed, according to the Adjutant- 
General's Report, seven thousand five hundred. This 
morning (Saturday, June 4th), the enemy's left wing, in 
front of Burnside, was found to have been drawn in during 
the night." 

The bristling fortifications that guarded the Chickahomi- 
ny, whose passage had been so desperately and successful- 
ly resisted, and the earthworks extending to Richmond, 
convinced General Grant that to get to the rebel capital in 
that direction would be impossible. 

For ten days the disappointed, maddened foe beat 
at intervals against our lines, but was repulsed with 
every desperate attempt to break the coil closing around 
them. 

General Grant, with a comprehensive and daring strate- 
gy, is determined to swing his whole army around on the 
south side of the capital, and make James River the base 
of supplies. In that part of the grand field of operations, 
there had been bold movements. General Butler had sent 
an expedition up York River to West Point, to make the 
enemy believe he was going across the peninsula to Rich- 
mond. Butler, however, dropped down again, and up 
James River, landing at City Point, fifteen miles from 
Richmond. His object was, to cut the railroads, and pre- 
vent Beauregard from helping Lee, and take Fort Darling 



THE MOVEMENT TO THE JAMES. 



503 



also. But the enemy came out of the fort, and beat him 
back again to his intrenchments. 

General Sheridan, meanwhile, with the cavalry, had 
swept around the right flank of the enemy, and, crossing 
the North Anna River, went into the outer defenses of 
Richmond, destroying railways, &c. General Sigel, in 
Western Virginia, had been defeated. 

In the night of June 12th, General Grant removed his 
troops from Lee's front to Cold Harbor and Gaines's Mills. 
General W. F. Smith's corps, after marching to the White 
House, embarked on transports and went down the Pa- 
munkey and York Rivers, and up the James. The Sixth 
and Ninth crossed the Chickahominy at Jones's Bridge, 
and the Second and Fifth at Long Bridge, thence reaching 
James River, crossed at Powhattan Point. The grand 
movement was a perfect success. The army of Lee, on the 
morning of June 13th, waked up to find no menacing foe, 
but one safely beyond pursuit, and in more threatening re- 
lation to the rebel cause than ever before ; and the whole 
accomplished in about thirty-six hours. 

Some of the greatest work of war is the least noisyo 
The grandest results in nature and in life are secured in 
silence. General Grant's safe removal, almost in the ene- 
my's face, of his vast army, across rivers, and an enemy's 
country, to James River, was one of these rare and splen- 
did achievements. It astonished General Lee, and came 
near costing him the great stronghold lying between the 
new base and Richmond. But re-enforcements reaching 
the city, our troops were forced to yeld in the struggle for 
the prize. 

While this stupendous game of the war chieftains was 
in progress, a gentleman of high editorial position called 
on Mrs. Grant, when she was in New York — "a plain, 
sensible, quiet woman, who takes the world as a mat- 
ter of course." He alluded to the high position of her 
husband, and appealed to her ambition to see how 
much vanity lurked under the unassuming surface. She 
listened ; then, with no perceptible change in manner, 
replied : — 

" ' Mr. Grant' (so she always calls him) 'had succeeded 



504 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



below, and, when lie was called to this position, lie thought 
it was Ms duty to try what he could do.' 

"We then expressed a hope that he would succeed, 
and that he would take Richmond. 

" 'Well, I don't know. I think he may. Mr. Grant 
always was a very obstinate man.' " 

The following conversation was had with another gen- 
tleman : — 

" 'If General Grant succeeds, he may want to "be Presi- 
dent.' 

" 'But he is Lieutenant- General. 5 

" 'Yes ; "but when a man can be elected President, it 
must be a strong temptation.' 

" ' I don't know. There have never been but two lieu- 
tenant-generals of the United States — General Washington 
and General Scott. There have been a number of Presi- 
dents ; for instance, such men as Frank Pierce and James 
Buchanan ! ' " 

No, it would hardly be ambition which would lead 
a lieutenant-general to wish to be President. 

Truly, "Mrs. Grant, you are a sensible woman, and 
Mr. Grant is an ' obstinate man.' " 

About this time, the citizens of Jo Daviess County, Illi- 
nois, presented General Grant a sword, whose record gives 
a "bird's-eye '" view of his military career to the beginning 
of June :— Palo Alto, May 8th, 1846 ; Resaca de la Palma, 
May 9th, 1846 ; Monterey, September 19th. 20th, 21st, 
1846; Vera Cruz, April 18th, 1847; Molino del Rev, Sep- 
tember 8th, 1847 ; City of Mexico,' September 14th, 1847; 
Belmont, November 7th, 1861 ; Fort Henry, February 6th 
and 7th, 1862 ; Fort Donelson, February 13th, 14th, loth, 
and 16th, 1862 ; Shiloh, April 6th and 7th, 1862 ; Corinth 
siege, April 22d to May 20th, 1862 ; Iuka, September 19th, 
1862 ; Hatchie, October 5th, 1862 ; Tallahatchie, December 
1st, 1862 ; Port Gibson, May 12th, 1863 ; Black River 
Bridge, May 7th, 1863 ; Champion Hill, May 14th. 1S63 ; 
Black River, May 17th, 1863 ; Yicksburg, July 4th, 1863 ; 
Chattanooga, November 23d, 24th, 25th, and 26th, 1863 ; 
Battles for Richmond, May 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 
11th, and 12th, 1864. 



ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG. 



505 



On the 15th of June, General Smith led his battalions 
against Petersburg. The impression "being general among 
our officers that there were but few troops in the forts, the 
design was to take the city before Gfeneral Lee could re-en- 
force them. The assault carried the first line of intrench- 
ments, but the rebels immediately called a large force from 
General Butler's front, while Lee hurried up additional 
columns from Richmond. The Second and Ninth Corps, 
during Thursday and Friday, took several redoubts, and 
the investing lines were drawn more closely around the 
beleaguered city, in nearly the form of a quarter of a circle. 
General Butler' s Tenth and Eighteenth Corps were on the 
north of the Appomattox, looking toward Petersburg, 
on the eastward side, and the Potomac Army extended 
from that river across the Petersburg and Suffolk road, the 
left resting on Poo Creek. The siege of Richmond was 
fairly commenced. General Wilson, with a force of six 
thousand cavalry, was sent, June 22d, to destroy railroad 
communications, south of Petersburg and Richmond ; and 
the Sixth Corps moved on the Weldon Railroad. 

An incident related of General Grant, while the move- 
ments against the rebel capital were going forward, is cer- 
tainly characteristic. He was walking around the docks 
at City Point, when he stopped to see some negroes roll a 
barrel of bacon on board of a boat. The negroes were un- 
able to move it, when a crusty lieutenant, who stood near, 
dressed in his fine blue clothes, shouted: "You niggers, 
push harder, or go get another man to help you ! " With- 
out saying a word, General Grant pulled up his sleeves, 
and helped the negroes roll the barrel on the boat ; then 
he drew his silk handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped 
his hands, and moved quickly away. You may imagine 
how that second lieutenant felt, when he was told that the 
stevedore was no less than the Commander-in-Chief of the 
United States armies. The general was dressed in coarse 
homespun, with his hat drawn over his eyes, and one of 
the most unpretending-looking personages one could 
imagine. 

As if to cheer us in the quiet of our armies at home, 
June 14th, 1864, occurred a naval engagement, which sent 



506 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



a thrill of wild exaltation oyer the land. The famous and 
victorious pirate Alabama, which had been ordered by 
the French government to leave the port of Cherbourg, 
met the United States steamer Kearsarge, about seven 
miles from the harbor. The noble vessel was named after 
a lordly summit among the White Hills — one of the body 
guards of Mount Washington. It is pronounced there as 
if it were spelled Keer-sarge. 

The combat was terrible. Balls and shell flew until the 
thunder of the ordnance shook the ships, and the smoke 
of the conflict hung darkly over the sea. 

After an hour of lightning and hail from ship toward 
ship, the dark, bloody leviathan of treason began to reel 
before the blows of the Kearsarge. 

A few moments later, and the waters closed over the 
pipes from which the breath of the monster's fiery heart 
had escaped. 

The captain — the guilty Semmes — and his crew were 
saved from a watery grave, by the English yacht Deer- 
liound, commanded by Captain Lancaster. Another evi- 
dence of English sympathy with the rebels, which has been 
mainly felt by the aristocratic classes there and elsewhere 
in Europe. 

Week after week passed, with no important change in 
the aspect of the impending struggle. A rebel view of 
this suspense is interesting. The Constitutionalist, of 
Augusta, Georgia, frankly writes of General Grant' s strong 
position, in an amusing way. It is an estimate of him, 
and a prophecy of the result of his siege : 

' ' The second danger is of the siege of Richmond. Some 
of our cotemporaries, and the most of our correspondents, 
laugh at this ; and yet Grant has it in his power to besiege 
the capital, or force an attack on himself, or force an evacu- 
ation of Richmond. JSTot that he has his choice of these 
three things, but can force that choice upon us. In Grant' s 
moving upon the south of Richmond, and threatening 
James River near the city, General Lee has choice of two 
evils. If he keeps ahead of Grant, and holds the Peters- 
burg line inviolate, that flanker necessarily gets between 
him and Richmond, and walks into the city at his leisure. 



REBEL VIEW OF THE SITUATION". 



507 



If Lee keeps between Richmond and Grant, the latter, of 
course, gets between him and the Southern States' commu- 
nication, and cuts off the only source of supplies now left, 
as the valley of Virginia is in the hands of the enemy. 
If Lee wants to save Petersburg and Richmond both, he 
will have to attack Grant in one of his craw-fish move- 
ments, and will have to attack the position and intrench- 
ments which the grand spade-and-pick army never exists 
an hour without. 

"In our judgment, the plan of the campaign is at last 
developed. Western Virginia, the valley and its resources 
are, by the movement on Staunton and Lexington, to be 
rendered unavailing for provisions. Grant is to throw his 
army into fortifications across the railroads from Richmond 
south, and so cut off our army supplies. Thus the starva- 
tion of a siege will be as effectually secured as if an army 
could be found large enough to surround the legions of 
Lee, as Grant did General Pemberton ; provided, of course, 
that the Danville road shares the fate that the Weldon 
road probably will. If General Lee chooses to stop the 
game by a fight, he has to put his finger on the slippery 
Grant, and stop his flea-like flankings ; and, having 
found him and stopped him for a fight, will have to 
charge the hills Grant will occupy and the trenches Grant 
will dig. We lose Richmond if we hold the Weldon and 
Danville Railroads ; vv r e lose the railroads if we save Rich- 
mond ; or we attack Grant in his mighty trenches if we try 
to save both. It is true that General Beauregard could 
still keep south of Grant, and prevent raids into South 
Carolina, but could not keep him from stopping the roads 
south, unless he has enough men to attack Grant in re- 
verse, and place him between two fires. We hope Grant 
thinks he has. This is a game with no possible hindrance, 
perfectly plain to even such unmilitary comprehension as 
our own, and we respectfully submit that there is no fun 
in it." 

To General Lee it was plain enough that something 
must be done to frighten, and, if possible, weaken General 
Grant. The confederates attempted, for the third time, the 
invasion of Maryland, making the Shenandoah Valley the 



508 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



grand highway of the advance. The insurgent tide dashed 
proudly along, surprising Chamber sburg, Pennsylvania, 
and leaving it desolate, then occupying Hagerstown and 
Frederick, Maryland, till General Ewell approached the 
city of Baltimore, sending alarm to every home and heart. 
The design of the bold and terror-awakening movement 
was to call troops from General Grant' s army, and, if pos- 
sible, relax his hold upon Lee and Richmond. But "Mr. 
Grant is a very obstinate man," as Mrs. Grant said, and 
nothing could decoy or frighten him from his watching the 
prey, worthy of his eagle eye. He sent a single corps, 
the Sixth, which he could spare, to aid in protecting the 
nation's capital. With this contribution to her defense, 
General Grant determined to leave the trembling North to 
such help as the Department of the Gulf, and the loyal 
troops, including militia scattered through Virginia, Mary- 
land, and Pennsylvania, could furnish. They were suffi- 
cient, if marshaled under able commanders, instead of 
remaining in four distinct military departments, whose 
leaders were unharmonious in feeling and counsel. The 
comprehensive genius of Grant at once saw the remedy. 
Of the Department of Washington, including the Capitol 
and Baltimore, with the region around ; the Department 
of the Susquehanna, comprising Eastern and Central Penn- 
sylvania and Eastern Maryland ; the Department of West- 
ern Virginia, and of Northwest Virginia and Western 
Pennsylvania ; and of the Middle Department, composed 
of the Shenandoah country and the region eastward to the 
Bull Run Mountains ; the lieutenant-general proposed to 
make a military division to be called the Middle Military 
Division, and was subsequently known as the Military 
Division of the Shenandoah. To this unrivaled command, 
in extent and importance, General Grant assigned General 
P. H. Sheridan — a choice whose wisdom the future of his 
career brilliantly illustrated. The youngest major-general, 
he had no superior ; he knew pre-eminently how to in- 
spire with martial ardor and effectively handle large 
bodies of troops. 

His command of this magnificent field was dated July 
7, 1864. On that day he removed his head-quarters to 



THE ENEMY IN MAPwYLAND. 



509 



Harper s Ferry. Meanwhile General Early had moved up 
the Shenandoah valley laden with plunder, and rejoicing 
in the prospect of a holiday march through the garden of 
Virginia toward freedom' s soil. Sheridan at once prepared 
to contest the right to such pastime at the expense of the 
dear cause of the Republic. Onward the rebels swept to- 
ward Maryland, burning and pillaging as they went. This 
was early in July. 

On the 3d, the President issued a call for three-months 
troops to repel invasion. 

On the 8th, the rebels attacked Hagerstown, Maryland, 
and sacked the city. 

On Saturday, the 9th, a battle took place between the 
forces under General Wallace and the rebels at Monocacy, 
commencing at nine o' clock in the morning, and continuing 
until five in the afternoon, when, overpowered by the su- 
perior numbers of the enemy, our forces were obliged to 
retreat in disorder, with severe loss. The fighting on both 
sides was desperate, much of it being hand to hand in an 
open field. The enemy advanced in three lines of battle, 
covered by their batteries, but were for hours kept at bay 
by our artillery. Our loss was probably one thousand in 
killed, wounded, and missing. General Tyler was cap- 
tured, and several officers were killed. No guns or flags 
were lost. The strength of the enemy was some fifteen 
thousand, while that of General Wallace was only five 
thousand. 

The intelligence of General Wallace' s defeat occasioned 
the greatest excitement in Baltimore. The bells were rung, 
the citizens mustered for service in the defenses, and every 
possible precaution taken for the protection of the city. 
At midnight on Saturday, Governor Bradford and Mayor 
Chadman issued a proclamation, declaring the city to be 
in imminent danger, and calling on every loyal citizen to 
prepare at once to avert the peril. During the whole of 
Sunday the city was under arms, and the work of erecting 
additional defenses went vigorously forward. At one time 
a report reached the city that the rebels were but seven 
miles distant ; but later accounts do not seem to confirm 
the statement. A proclamation was also issued on Sunday 



510 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



by Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, appealing to the 

people to come forward for the defense of their State. 

On Sunday morning, a force of four or five hundred 
rebel cavalry dashed into Rockville, Maryland, sixteen 
miles from Washington, and, after plundering the stores 
and stealing all the cattle and horses they could find, left 
in the direction of Frederick ; but, before they left, they 
sent to the Virginia side all their plunder. Persons who 
came from the upper fords reported that the rebels were 
conveying large numbers of cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep, 
stolen from the farmers along the river, across into Vir- 
ginia, and that every ford was held by small rebel cavalry 
forces and sections of batteries. They carried off several 
thousand head of cattle, and from eight hundred to one 
thousand valuable horses. 

The Northern Central Railroad, running from Baltimore 
to Harrisburg, was cut near Cockeysville, twelve miles 
north of Baltimore. 

On Monday the rebels made rapid progress toward 
Baltimore and Washington, being within seven miles of 
the former city, and six miles of the capital. 

On their approach to Baltimore, they burned the resi- 
dence of Governor Bradford, three miles from that city, 
completely to the ground, stating that they had orders to 
do so from General Bradley Johnson, in retaliation for the 
destruction of Governor Letcher's house in Virginia, by 
General Hunter. 

Telegraphic communication between Washington and 
Baltimore was cut, leaving the States north in awful sus- 
pense respecting the result of the bold invasion. 

On the evening of July 12th, a charge was made upon 
the enemy in front of Fort Stevens, and our line was ad- 
vanced beyond the house of F. P. Blair, sen., thus driving 
the rebels from their position. In this charge we had three 
hundred killed and wounded, and the rebel loss exceeded 
ours. 

The arrival of (General Burnside' s) veteran troops at the 
capital was timely, and the enemy retired across the Po- 
tomac during the night. 

The only success of their invasion of Maryland was 



CAPTURE OF GENERAL FRANKLIN. 



511 



the acquisition of supplies of all kinds, which they took 
off in large quantities. While in the possession of Fred- 
erick, the rebels levied a fine of two hundred thousand 
dollars, which was paid to save the city from destruction. 
They swept the surrounding country of horses, cattle, 
sheep, and hogs, driving large herds toward the Potomac. 

The President remarked one day, during the attack 
upon Fort Stevens, to a friend who was somewhat alarmed 
at the tardiness of General Grant in forwarding troops to 
the capital : — 

" General Grant has as much at stake as any man in the 
country in the management of the campaign. He knows 
very well, if the rebels should capture Washington, that 
not even the fall of Richmond would compensate for the 
national calamity and disgrace. He would lose his repu- 
tation as a general. He knows it ; and I shall trust him." 

General Franklin was captured in the cars near Balti- 
more. He was taken to a rebel encampment, and put in 
charge of guards. He lay down, tired with the hard and 
rapid travel, and feigned sleep. He listened, and took a 
peep, now and then, to see if they slept. 

One after another, supposing he was in deep slumber, 
they gave themselves up to repose. 

General Franklin then stole cautiously away, making 
noise enough to be sure the guards were not deceiving 
him, till he was over a fence not far off ; then, he assures 
us — and we may believe him — he ran for his life and lib- 
erty. In the daytime he hid in the bushes, and could hear 
the enemy near. 

At length hunger and fatigue compelled him to show 
himself. Soon he saw a man in the woods carrying hay. 
He walked up boldly and asked him what he was doing 
with that hay. 

"Oh, I am trying to conceal it from the rebs., who are 
leaving nothing they can take away." 

This answer gave him hope. Making himself known, 
he was cared for by the Union farmer, and escorted into 
Baltimore. 

July 26th, General Grant made another movement of 
his army, which displayed the strategy of the great flanker. 



512 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



A part of his host were ordered to the north of James 
River; pressing thus upon the enemy gradually, but 
surely, with his anaconda-like coil. 

The next day, a line of outer intrenchments and four 
cannon were captured. 

The 29th was a dark day for Chambersburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. A cavalry raid of the rebels laid the beautiful town 
in ruins. Many of the people, who, just before, were in 
the midst of plenty, had not a meal left nor a change of ap- 
parel. 

July 30th, early in the morning, there was an unusual 
stir at the head-quarters of General Burnside. Unknown 
to all excepting the engineers and a few officers, General 
Grant had been successfully mining one of the enemy's 
main batteries. It was in General Burnside' s front. At 
half-past three the fuse was fired. But it burned slowly 
in the long, damp entrance. Soon after four o' clock a loud 
report startled the enemy. Another moment, and the air 
was filled with earth, and timbers, and men. Successive 
shocks, like those of an earthquake, shook the land. 
Then opened a terrific cannonading. A hundred guns 
thundered along the lines, and toward the breach, forty 
rods in width, rushed our heroic " boys." 

Colonel Marshall, of the Fourteenth ISTew York Heavy 
Artillery, promptly led the two brigades of the first divis- 
ion, the second, followed by the first, under the command 
of Brigadier- General Bartlett, of Massachusetts ; the troops 
springing over the breastworks of our main line, and has- 
tening toward the breach. The advancing columns found 
the abatis and other outside defenses remaining to obstruct 
their progress. The battery was destroyed, and in its 
place a frightful chaos of broken guns, equipage, and 
human bodies, was seen. 

Meanwhile opened an enfilading fire upon our troops, 
compelling them to pause in the resolute attempt to ad- 
vance. At six o' clock, General Ferero moved to the right 
of the other divisions for Seminary Hill. The march was 
steady, until the men were in line with those who had pre- 
ceded them, when under a wasting fire they turned to the 
left, and mingled with the rest of the troops, A thousand 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL BARTLETT. 513 



of the colored soldiers went tumbling oyer the parapet into 
the crater, already thronged, formed by the explosion. The 
enemy now prepared to meet the attack by massing all 
their available force. Those of our own troops who at- 
tempted to regain the main line found the open ground 
oyer which they passed swept by the enemy' s fire. When 
our batteries grew silent at nine o' clock, the rebels came 
from their intrenchments and charged upon the position 
we had gained, and finally succeeded. An hour later a 
second charge was made, and General Bartlett was com- 
pelled, at length, to surrender. 

It is quite evident that only to veteran troops should 
have been entrusted such an enterprise, and wherever 
the fault of a failure to capture the strongly fortified 
place may be laid by different writers, it is evident, from 
their losses in that breach of death, the " slaughter pen " 
it became, the negroes were no cowards. 

Their losses are very heavy, particularly in officers, as 
will be seen by the following figures : 

Twenty-third U. S. Colored. — Fifteen officers killed 
and wounded ; four hundred men, including the missing. 

Twenty-eighth U. S. Colored. — Eleven officers, and 
about one hundred and fifty men killed, wounded, and 
missing. 

Twenty-seventh U. S. Colored. — Six officers and 
about one hundred and fifty men killed, wounded, and 
missing. 

Twenty-ninth U. S. Colored. — Eight officers, and 
about two hundred and seventy-five men killed, wound- 
ed, and missing. 

Thirty-first U. S. Colored. — Seven officers, and 
about two hundred men killed, wounded, and missing. 

Forty-third U. S. Colored. — Six officers, and a large 
number of men killed, wounded, and missing. 

Thirty-ninth U. S. Colored. — Several officers, and 
about two hundred and fifty men killed, wounded, and 
missing. 

The loss in the Second Division of the Mnth Corps, 

33 



514 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

General Ledlie commanding, was very severe, and is esti- 
mated at from one thousand to twelve hundred, while 
many make the figure larger. 

Among the missing, was the name of General Bartlett. 
He succeeded in reaching the fort with his command, "but, 
having accidentally broken his cork leg, he was unable to 
get off the field. He, however, held possession of the 
ground for several hours, and only surrendered when all 
hope of escape was gone. Some two hundred men, both 
black and white, were with him at the time, a few of whom 
managed to get back to our lines amid a storm of bullets. 

The high hope of a great victory which was kindled 
with the first telegram that flew over the North was 
quenched by the next tidings of a repulse. 

The rebels had, to some extent, prepared for such an at- 
tack. From their works they were able to pour an en- 
filading fire upon our troops, before which they could not 
stand. 

The golden opportunity that followed the terror of the 
explosion which laid open the works to our army was 
lost. Why, was the unanswered question. But no one 
suspected General Grant of any blame in this great failure, 
which prolonged the terrible war. 

Oh, what a sad sight was that, after the fruitless slaught- 
er. ! Wrote one who was there : 

" After the battle of Saturday, General Burnside sent a 
flag of truce to the enemy with a view to recovering the 
wounded and burying the dead lying between the lines, 
and whom it had been impossible to approach owing to 
the continued firing. After some little signaling, the re- 
bels acknowledged and came forward to meet it. The com- 
munication was received and forwarded by them to the 
authority with whom the power rests. Our officers sought 
permission to succor the wounded while waiting, and it 
was granted. Accordingly, the poor fellows, who had 
been lying on the ground nearly twenty-four hours — a por- 
tion of the time in the blazing sun — were given each a 
drink of brandy and water. The crater of the mined fort 
was plainly in view ; but the rebels refused to allow any 
approach to it, and the wounded near it were supplied by 



THE DEAD AFTER THE EXPLOSION. 



515 



the rebels themselves. The agonies of the wounded were 
awful. Unable to move, not daring to make even a signal, 
lest it would attract an unfriendly bullet, they had lain 
twenty-four hours without food or water. The two past 
days had been the warmest, as yet, of this summer, and 
they were subjected to the merciless rays of a scorching 
sun. The dead presented a sickening sight. There were 
both white men and negroes ; but now it is difficult to dis- 
tinguish them apart. Their bodies were swollen and 
bloated, and their faces blackened by the sun. 

' £ Although the rebels refused a flag of truce on Sunday, 
to enable us to bury the dead and remove the wounded, 
from five to nine o'clock on Monday was granted for this 
purpose. Yery few were found alive — not more than a dozen ; 
and but a few of these are expected to recover. The ground 
in front of the crater was thickly covered with the dead 
bodies, the colored soldiers being in the proportion of four 
to one of the white, the colored troops having experienced 
the heaviest fire at this place. The work of burying the 
dead was finished about half-past ten, and firing was com- 
menced by the rebels ten minutes afterwards." 

A week later, General Lee tried the underground work, 
to see what he could accomplish. General Grant was too 
wide awake for the wary chieftam. He had sunk a shaft, 
which our men thought was a well for General Warren' s 
corps, which went right into one of the enemy's passages. 

This discovery, with poor engineering by the rebels, 
which failed to estimate rightly the distance, spoiled their 
plot. 

The cannon suddenly opened — the dust and smoke rose 
outside of our works, and that teas all ! 

On the 4th day of August, the following noble order 
was read to the army : 

Head-Quarters Army of the Potomac, August 3, 1S64. 
To-morrow, the 4th inst., having been set apart by the President of the 
United States as a day of National fasting, humiliation, and prayer, the 
Major-General commanding calls upon his fellow-soldiers to observe the 
day with the solemnities due to the occasion ; and he recommends that, 
wherever practicable, religious services be held in the several camps by the 
chaplains serving with the army ; and he commands that all operations that 
are not matters of military necessity be suspended during the day. 

By command of Major-General Meade. 



516 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The very next day, Admiral Farragut, or "Old Sala- 
mander," entered Mobile Bay in triumph, haying conquer- 
ed the rebel fleet and silenced the forts at its entrance, after 
a brilliant engagement. 

The 18th brought a decisive change in the movements 
of the Potomac Army. General Grant threw his troops 
across the Weldon Railroad — a very important path of sup- 
plies toward the South. The enemy fought hard to dis- 
lodge our brave fellows, but General Warren beat him 
back in gallant style. 

The chivalrous Hancock, the incarnation of heroism, 
who was helping to destroy the railroad, on the 25th had a 
terrible battle ; but — as he always does — held his ground, 
and slaughtered the rebels. 

During these scenes on the Potomac, the splendid chief- 
tain Sherman was coiling his great army around Atlanta, 
Georgia, another important center of rebel supplies and 
munitions of war. 

Just before his death, which occurred in battle, near 
that stronghold, July 22d, the brave and brilliant General 
McPherson, who was familiarly acquainted with both the 
Lieutenant- General and Sherman, wrote to a friend respect- 
ing these great commanders. 

" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant I regard as one of the 
most remarkable men of our country. Without aspiring to 
be a genius, or possessing those characteristics which im- 
press one forcibly at first sight, his sterling good sense, calm 
judgment, and persistency of purpose, more than compen- 
sate for those dashing, brilliant qualities which are apt to 
captivate at a first glance. To know and appreciate Gen- 
eral Grant fully, one ought to be a member of his military 
family. 

" Though possessing a remarkable reticence as far as 
military operations are concerned, he is frank and affable, 
converses well, and has a peculiarly retentive memory. 
When not oppressed with the cares of his position, he is 
very fond of talking, telling anecdotes, &c. 

" His purity of character is unimpeachable, and his patri- 
otism of the most exalted kind. He is generous to a fault, 
humane and true, and a steadfast friend to those whom he 



INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. 



517 



deems worthy of his confidence, and can always be relied 
upon in case of emergency. 

" Major-General W. T. Sherman is what might be call- 
ed a brilliant man, possessing a broad and comprehensive 
intellect. A rapid thinker and ready writer, fertile in his 
resources and untiring in his exertions, he possesses those 
characteristics which forcibly impress you at first sight. 
He has mingled largely with the world, and has tried 
various professions ; has read and reflected much, and, 
having a remarkably retentive memory, is well informed 
on most subjects which come within the scope of human 
thought. He is of a much more excitable temperament 
than General Grant, and more apt to be swayed by im- 
pulses, though his judgment is not so cool and reliable. In 
other words, though a more brilliant man, he does not pos- 
sess that sterling good common sense which pre-eminently 
distinguishes General Grant. 

"He is, however, a most brave and generous man, 
thoroughly in earnest, and ready to sacrifice every thing 
for the good of his country. He is a true friend, and thor- 
oughly unselfish ; and there are no better men — or few, at 
least — than General Sherman." 

How touchingiy beautiful, in connection with this high 
testimony, is the correspondence which follows : 

Clyde, Ohio, August 3, 1864. 

To General Grant : 

Dear Sir: — I hope you will pardon me for troubling you with, the pe- 
rusal of these few lines from the trembling hand of the aged grandma of our 
beloved General James B. McPherson, who fell in battle. When it was an- 
nounced at his funeral, from the public print, that when General Grant 
heard of his death he went into his tent and wept like a child, my heart 
went out in thanks to you for the interest you manifested in him while he 
was with you. I have watched his progress from infancy up. In child- 
hood he was obedient and kind; in manhood, interesting, noble, and per- 
severing, looking to the wants of others. Since he entered the war, others 
can appreciate his worth more than I can. When it was announced to us 
by telegraph that our loved one had fallen, our hearts were almost rent 
asunder; but when we heard the Commander-in-Chief could weep with us 
too, we felt, sir, that you have been as a father to him, and this whole na- 
tion is mourning his early death. I wish to inform you that his remains 
were conducted by a kind guard to the very parlor where he spent a 
cheerful evening in 1861 with his widowed mother, two brothers, an only 



518 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



sister, and his aged grandmother, who is now trying to write. In the 
morning he took his leave at six o'clock, little dreaming he should fall by 
a ball from the enemy. Hi's funeral services were attended in his mother's 
orchard, where his youthful feet had often pressed the soil to gather the 
falling fruit ; and his remains are resting in the silent grave scarce half a 
mile from the place of his birth. His grave is on an eminence but a few 
rods from where the funeral services were attended, and near the grave of 
his father. 

The grave, no doubt, will be marked, so that passers by will often 
stop and drop a tear over the dear departed. And now, dear friend, a few 
lines from you would be gratefully received by the afflicted friends. I pray 
that the God of battles may be with you, and go forth with your arms till 
rebellion shall cease, the Union be restored, and the old flag wave over our 
entire land. 

With much respect, I remain your friend, 

Lydia Slocttm, 
Aged 87 years and 4 months. 

GENERAL GRANT'S REPLY. 

Head-Quarters Armies of the U. S., ? 
City Point, Ya., Aug. 10, 1861. S 

Mks. Lydia Sloottm : 

My dear Madam : — Your very welcome letter of the 3d instant has 
reached me. I am glad to know that the relatives of the lamented Major- 
General McPherson are aware of the more than friendship existing be- 
tween him and myself. A nation grieves at the loss of one so dear to our 
nation's cause. It is a selfish grief, because the nation had more to expect 
from him than from almost any one living. I join in this selfish grief, and 
add the grief of personal love for the departed. He formed, for some time, 
one of my military family. I knew him well; to know him was to love. 
It may be some consolation to you, his aged grandmother, to know that 
every officer and every soldier who served under your grandson felt the 
highest reverence for his patriotism, his zeal, his great, almost unequaled 
ability, his amiability, and all the manly virtues that can adorn a command- 
er. Your bereavement is great, but cannot exceed mine. 

Yours truly, U. S. Grant. 

The exact posture of affairs then was clearly expressed 
in the subjoined letter to the Hon. Mr. Washburne, of Il- 
linois : 

Head-Quarters Armies of the IT. S., \ 
City Point, Va., Aug. 16, 1364. ' 

Deae Sin : — I state to all citizens who visit me, that all we want now to 
insure an early* restoration of the Union is a determined unity of sentiment 
North. 

The rebels have now in their ranks their last man. The little boys and 
old men are guarding prisoners, guarding railroad bridges, and forming a 
good part of their garrisons or intrenched positions. A man lost by them 



GENERAL GRANT AT GETTYSBURG. 



519 



cannot be replaced. They have robbed the cradle and the grave equally to 
get their present force. Besides what they lose in frequent skirmishes and 
battles, they are now losing from desertions and other causes at least one 
regiment per day. With this drain upon them, the end is not far distant, 
if we will only be true to ourselves. Their only hope now is in a divided 
North. This might give them re-enforcements from Tennessee, Kentucky, 
Maryland, and Missouri, while it would weaken us. With the draft quietly 
enforced, the enemy w r ould become despondent, and would make but little 
resistance. 

I have no doubt but the enemy are exceedingly anxious to hold out 
until after the Presidential election. They have many hopes from its 
effects. They hope a counter-revolution. They hope the election of the 
peace candidate. In fact, like Micawber, they hope for something to " turn 
up." Our peace friends, if they expect peace from separation, are much 
mistaken. It would be but the beginning of war, with thousands of North- 
ern men joining the South because of our disgrace in allowing separation. 
To have " peace on any terms," the South would demand the restoration of 
their slaves already freed ; they would demand indemnity for losses sus- 
tained, and they would demand a treaty which would make the North 
slave hunters for the South ; they would demand pay for, or the restoration 
of, every slave escaped to the North. 

Yours truly, U. S. Grant. 

At the dedication of the National Cemetery, July 4th, 
1863, General Grant was among the mourners before the 
terraces of graves, which reminded none more impres- 
sively than himself of the sacrifice which had been made 
for the life of the nation ; for he had seen the battle-fields 
strewn with dead heroes, and knew not when his own 
body would be added to the silent host of freedom's slain 
warriors. 

During this month of July, closing in the Potomac 
Army with the affair of the Petersburg mine, General 
Sherman had been " marching along " in grand style. At 
the end of June, he had driven Johnston from Allatoona 
Pass, Pine, Kenesaw, and Lost Mountains, compelling, 
after a fierce and fruitless battle, by the skillful maneuver 
of a movement of General McPherson's whole corps to- 
ward the Chattahoochie, the evacuation of Marietta on the 
2d of July. 

The enemy was strongly intrenched on the west bank 
of the river. Another of Sherman's flanking: victories 
forced him across the Chattahoochie to the east side, where, 



520 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



on the 7th, General Schofield found him, and, by the sur- 
prise of the rebel commander, captured a gun, and bridged 
the stream. Johnston had to leave General Sherman in 
possession of the river, and fall back upon Atlanta. 

General Sherman now sent a cavalry force to cut John- 
ston's railroad communication with Southern Alabama, 
Georgia, and Mississippi ; and then commenced the for- 
ward march of the army. 

General Hood succeeded Johnston on the 17th, and as- 
saulted suddenly and desperately the Union lines, but 
after a bloody struggle had to leave the field • for his in- 
trenchments. Then came the repeated blows of Hood's 
columns upon those of Sherman, until his men lay by 
thousands beneath the smoke of battle. General Stone- 
man's failure in his cavalry raid toward Lovejoy's Station 
and Andersonville, and McCook' s gallant escape from cap- 
ture with Stoneman, brought the record of General Sher- 
man' s columns to July 28th. General Hood threw himself 
upon General Logan's corps, again determined to break 
the threatening circle of Union troops narrowing about 
him. 

This was followed by the masterly movement of Gen- 
eral Sherman upon West Point Railroad, and thence to 
the Macon Road, deceiving his antagonist, who supposed 
the siege of Atlanta was raised, and General Sherman 
trying to save his own communications between Allatoona 
and Chattanooga, and resulting in the abandonment of At- 
lanta, to save the rebel chief s own lines of connection with 
supplies. 



GENERAL SHERIDAN'S VICTORIES. 521 



CHAPTER XXV. 

THE CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR. 

The vast Combinations of the Lieutenant-General unfolding. — The Hollowness of 
the Confederacy. — General Sheridan's Successes. — General Thomas. — General 
Sherman's startling Campaign.— The Beginning of the New Year. — General 
Lee. — Fort Steadman. — The closing Battles and Scenes of the Rebellion. — 
General Lee's Flight. — The Pursuit. — The Surrender. — Sherman and Johnston. 
— Johnston surrenders. — The remaining Rebel Forces follow. 

The great net-work of armies General Grant was 
gathering around his foe, and which would soon be felt 
wherever he turned for escape, began to appear. The 
magnificent Thomas was waiting his hour to strike in Ten- 
nessee; General Sherman fixing his stern vision on the 
sea beyond Georgia ; General Sheridan taking care of 
Early ; and the Commander-in-Chief confronting confidently 
and calmly the rebel leader. 

The great work in the extensive field during September 
and October was done in the Valley of the Shenandoah. 
The 19th of each of those months is among the forever- 
memorable days of the war. 

The first, because General Sheridan won fairly a splen- 
did victory over the boastful Early at Opequan Creek, 
followed by another not less brilliant at Fisher's Hill ; the 
latter on account of the solitary glory of conquest snatched 
from defeat by the power of the chieftain' s single re-en- 
forcement — the inspiration of his return to the scene of 
disaster. 

The deeds of "Cavalry Sheridan" thrilled the popular 
heart afresh, and placed the victor' s name next to that of 
the Lieutenant- General in the great arena of strife directly 
under bis control. The President sent his letter of con- 
gratulation to General Sheridan ; and, November 14th, 
upon General McClellan' s resignation of his command, the 
hero of the Shenandoah Valley succeeded him to the 



522 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



major-generalship in the Regular army, the appointment 
dating from the 8th of the same month. This was a high 
and substantial compliment to heroism and ability, whose 
last and unrivaled work was the triumph with a routed 
army on the 18th of October. 

General Early' s chagrin oyer his defeat was betrayed 
in an order to his troops, in which he bitterly reproaches 
them for their "misconduct." 

In view of all these tokens of divine favor upon our 
arms, our Christian President issued the following call, 
and the first since the war opened, to national praise for 
Jehovah's blessing upon the national cause : — 

It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, 
defending us with His guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad, 
and vouchsafing to us in His mercy many and signal victories over the 
enemy, who is of our own household. It lias also pleased our Heavenly 
Father to favor as well our citizens in their homes as our soldiers in their 
camps, and our sailors on the rivers and seas, with unusual health. He has 
largely augmented our free population by emancipation and by immigra- 
tion, while He has opened to us new sources of wealth, and has crowned 
the labor of our workingmen in every department of industry with abun- 
dant rewards. Moreover He has been pleased to animate and inspire our 
minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolution sufficient for the 
great trial of civil war into which we have been brought by our adherence 
as a nation to the cause of freedom and humanity, and to afford to us 
reasonable hopes of an ultimate and happy deliverance from all our dangers 
and afflictions. 

Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do 
hereby appoint and set apart the last Thursday of November next as a day 
which I desire to be observed by all my fellow-citizens, wherever they may 
be, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the beneficent 
Creator and Ruler of the universe. And I do further recommend to my 
fellow-citizens aforesaid, that on that occasion they do reverently humble 
themselves in the dust, and from thence offer up penitent and fervent 
prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of events for a return of 
the inestimable blessings of peace, union, and harmony, throughout the 
land which it has pleased Him to assign as a dwelling-place for ourselves 
and for our posterity throughout all generations. 

Abe ah am Lincoln. 



The remaining weeks of the year 1864 were spent by 
the armies in the Shenandoah Yalley in watching each 
other and skirmishing. Torbert' s Cavalry had encounters 



SHERIDAN IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHENANDOAH. 523 



with the troops of Rosser and Lomax, sometimes of severi- 
ty, which, on a smaller field of arms than our Republic, 
would have been called battles. But we soon learned to 
regard as unworthy that distinction any thing less than the 
meeting, in deadly conflict, several thousands of the half 
million of troops, and the slaughter of hundreds, at least, 
of the combatants. 

General Early moved "uneasily up and down the Val- 
ley," seeking reprisals, an assailable point in the Union 
lines, or rest, and finding neither. His promenade-ground 
extended from Xew Market, situated a mile east of the 
north fork of the Shenandoah, near the southwest border 
of the county which bears the name of the stream, and 
Fisher's Hill. He did not venture near enough to the 
ever-ready "Phil." to turn the trooper's steed toward his 
depleted force. And then poor Lee, held by the inflexible 
Grant, and chafing in the grasp, must have all the avail- 
able aid, and called for a portion of Early's troops in 
December. 

Meanwhile tidings came to Sheridan that the guerrillas 
were infesting the beautiful valley of the Blue Ridge, and 
their bullets flying wherever a Unionist showed himself — 
the unpitied target of the murderous bandits. The indig- 
nant chieftain decided to burn out the beasts of prey, as he 
had done before. So he summoned his troopers to the 
work ; and dashing away to the fearful duty of retribution, 
you might have followed them afar off by the columns of 
smoke by day, under which at night blazed a hundred 
fires of wrath upon the skulking homicides of treason. 

Two expeditions resulted in the destruction or capture 
of property valued at more than seven millions of dollars. 
The droves of cattle, horses, mules, sheep, and swine, were 
almost endless, and seemed quite so when they moved 
along the forest paths. The guerrillas fled to the Upper 
Potomac, and other points more or less remote. 

During the last month of the year the Sixth Corps was 
sent back to re-enforce the Army of the Potomac. Until 
late in February, the Army of the Shenandoah had but 
little fighting to do, but rested and kept a vigilant eye on 
the movements of the adversary. At this moment the war 



524 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

was reaching a decisive crisis. General Sherman was 
marching triumphantly through the Carolinas. Truly 
" Sherman, Schofield, and Sheridan seemed to be the three 
S'sof the hour." 

Meanwhile, there had been important movements in 
the Army of the Potomac. General Ord had crossed the 
James, October 29th, and carried the enemy' s works at 
Chapin's Farm ; and General Birney, advancing to Deep 
Bottom, took the New Market Road ; while General Kautz 
made a cavalry reconnoissance within two miles of Rich- 
mond. The next day General Meade stormed the rebel 
line of intrenchments at Poplar Springs Church. Dark- 
ness settled with the fading glories of autumn upon the 
Confederacy, in every part of the horizon. Upon its last 
days, the Napoleonic Sherman "broke camp," and set his 
army-front toward the distant sea. 

His army consisted of four corps of infantry, two 
divisions of cavalry, four brigades of artillery, and two 
horse-batteries. Brevet Major- General Jeff. C. Davis com- 
manded the Fourteenth Corps ; Brevet Major-General 
Osterhaus the Fifteenth Corps ; Majpr-General Frank Blair 
the Seventeenth Corps ; and Major-General Slocum the 
Twentieth Corps. Major- General Kilpatrick was in com- 
mand of the cavalry. 

General Thomas was left "to entice Hood westward 
and fight him, if he would fight in the neighborhood of 
Nashville." The disastrous defeat of Hood at Franklin, 
November 30th, succeeded by the greater one at Nash- 
ville December 15th, finished the valiant successor of 
Johnston. 

The whole North was startled and half bewildered, 
when General Sherman' s colors entered the Georgia forests, 
"pointing south," with the sublimely awful torchlight of 
burning Atlanta lighting his path, whose walls he had left 
November 16th, in company with the Fourteenth Corps. 
General Howard commanded the right wing, which was 
accompanied by Kilpatrick' s cavalry, and reached Jackson 
on the 17th, and Gordon's Woods on the 23d. 

General Slocum led the left wing to the vicinity of 
Mill edge ville on the 21st of November. Along the paths 



THE LOST ARMY. 



525 



of the army, railways had been destroyed, and forage in 
abundance taken to supply the columns. 

He now ordered General Howard to strike eastward 
from Gordonsville, tearing up the iron track toward Mil- 
len, as far as Tennille Station ; General Slocum to march 
by two roads on Sandersonville, four miles north of the 
former place ; and General Kilpatrick to move from Gordon 
to Milledgeville, and eastward, breaking up the railroad 
between Millen and Augusta, and, falling upon Millen, 
rescue, if possible, the Union prisoners starving there. 
But the poor victims of rebel hate were hurried away at 
the approach of their friends. 

General Sherman took up his head-quarters with the 
Twentieth Corps, and the imposing vcavalcades, stretching 
for scores of miles across the soil of Georgia, cut loose 
from the anxious North, to which they became for weeks, 
emphatically, "The Lost Army." 

Into funereal cypress swamps, and primeval pine 
woods, whispering to fancy' s ear of war' s desolations, and 
the tearful watchers at home — through cold rivers, and 
treacherous quicksands ; then over sunny fields and by 
elegant mansions, around which were clustered slave 
cabins, whose humble tenants, when they dared to do so, 
hailed the "Yankee" army — the veteran and cheerful 
battalions of the peerless Sherman marched toward' the 
sea. 

Leaving the record of the martial aspect of the un- 
rivaled campaign to the pen of the daring leader, whose 
record will be given its fitting connection, we shall here 
chronicle some of the romantic incidents of the wonderful 
march. 

The diary of Aid-de-camp Nichols, on General Sher- 
man' s staff, is full of both amusing and touching incidents 
of the march. He writes : — 

"The most pathetic scenes occur upon our line of 
march daily and hourly. Thousands of negro women join 
the column, some carrying household truck ; others, and 
many of them there are, who bear the burden of children 
in their arms, while older boys and girls plod by their 
sides. All these women and children are ordered back, 



526 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



heart-rending though it may be to refuse them liberty. 
They won't go. One begs that she may go to see her 
husband and children at Savannah. Long years ago she 
was forced from them and sold. Another has heard that 
her boy was in Macon, and she is ' done gone with grief 
goin' on four years.' 

" The other day a woman with a child in her arms was 
working her way along amongst the teams and crowds of 
cattle and horsemen. An officer called to her kindly : 
' Where are you going, aunty V 

"She looked up into his face with a hopeful, beseech- 
ing look, and replied : — 

" Tse gwine whar you'se gwine, massa.' 

"At a house a few miles from Milledgeville we halted 
for an hour. In an old hut I found a negro and his wife, 
both of them over sixty years old. In the talk which 
ensued, nothing was said which led me to suppose that 
either of them was anxious to leave their mistress, who, by 
the way, was a sullen, cruel-looking woman, when all at 
once the old negress straightened herself up, and her face, 
which a moment before was almost stupid in its expres- 
sion, assumed a fierce, almost devilish, aspect. 

"Pointing her shining black finger at the old man, 
crouched in the corner of the fire-place, she hissed out : 
' What for you sit dar ? you spose I wait sixty years for 
nutten? Don't yer see de door open? I'se follow my 
child ; I not stay. Yes, nodder day I goes 'long wid dese 
people ; yes sar, I walks till I drops in my tracks.' A 
more terrible sight I never beheld. I can think of nothing 
to compare with it, except Charlotte Cushman's Meg Mer- 
rilies. Rembrandt only could have painted the scene, 
with its dramatic surroundings, 

"It was near this place that several factories were 
burned. It was odd to see the delight of the negroes at 
the destruction of places known only to them as task- 
houses, where they had groaned under the lash. 

' ' Pointing to the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad, which 
had been destroyed, the question was asked, 'It took a 
longer time to build this railroad than it does to destroy it V 

" 'I would think it did, massa; in dat ar woods over 



SCENES ALONG THE MARCH. 



527 



dar is buried ever so many black men who were killed, 
sar, yes, killed, a working on dat road — whipped to deth. 
I seed em, sar.' 

14 6 Does the man live here who beat them ? ' 

" ' Oh no, sar, he's dun gone long time.' 

"I have seen blind and lame mules festooned with 
infants in bags, and led by fond parents so aged and weak 
they could hardly totter along. ' Mars' r Sherman was a 
great man, but dis am de work ob de Lord,' they said." 

The swampy borders were belted with "corduroy," 
and their heavy fogs hung over the halting columns. At 
evening the spectacle was weird-like in its wild romance. 
' ' A novel and vivid sight was it to see the fires of pitch- 
pine flaring up into the mist and darkness, the figures of 
men and horses looming out of the dense shadows in 
gigantic proportions. Torchlights are blinking and flash- 
ing away off in the forests, while the still air echoed and 
re-echoed with the cries of teamsters and the wild shouts 
of the soldiers. A long line of the troops marched across 
the foot-bridge, each soldier bearing a torch, their light 
reflected in quivering lines in the swift-running stream. 
Soon the fog, which settles like a blanket over the swamps 
and forests of the river bottoms, shut down upon the 
scene, and so dense and dark was it that torches were of 
but little use, and men were directed here and there by the 
voice." 

Not far from this spot the troops encountered a singular 
character. He had been depot-master before the railroad 
was destroyed — a shrewd, intelligent old man, so far as the 
war is concerned. He said to the soldiers: "They say 
you are retreating, but it is the strangest sort of retreat I 
ever saw. Why, the newspapers have been lying in this 
way all along. They allers are whipping the Federal 
armies, and they allers fall back after the battle is over. 
It was that ar' idee that first opened my eyes. Our army 
was allers whipping the Feds., and we allers fell back. I 
allers told 'em it was a humbug, and now I know it, 
for here you are right on old John Wells' s place ; hogs, 
potatoes, corn, and fences all gone. I don't find any fault. 
I expected it all. 



528 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



" 'Jeff. Davis and the rest,' he continued, 'talk about 
splitting the Union, Why, if South Carolina had gone out 
by herself, she would have been split in four pieces by 
this time. Splitting the Union. Why, the State of 
Georgia is being split right through from end to end. It 
is these rich fellows who are making the war, and keeping 
their precious bodies out of harm's way. There's John 
Franklin went through here the other day running away 
from your army. I could have played dominoes on his 
coat tails. There's my poor brother, sick with small-pox 
at Macon, working for eleven dollars a month, and hasn't 
got a cent of the stuff for a year. Eleven dollars a month, 
and eleven thousand bullets a minute. I don't believe in 
it, sir. 

" ' My wife came from Canada, and I kind o' thought I 
would some time go there to live, but was alters afraid of 
the ice and cold ; but I can tell you this country is getting 
too hot for me. Look at my fence rails burning there. I 
think I can stand the cold better. 

" ' I heard as how they cut down the trees across your 
road up country and burn the bridges ; why, one of your 
Yankees can take up a tree and carry it off, tops and all ; 
and there's that bridge you put across the river in less 
than two hours —they might as well try to stop the Ogee- 
chee as you Yankees. 

' ' ' The rascals who burnt this yere bridge thought they 
did a big thing ; a natural born fool would have more 
sense than any of them. 

" ' To bring back the good old time,' he said, ' it '11 take 
the help of Divine Providence, a heap of rain, and a deal 
of hard work, to fix things up again.' " 

While the sun of December 21st was ascending to the 
zenith, General Sherman rode at the head of his enthusi- 
astic columns, with music and banners enlivening the mag- 
nificent scene, into the broad, quiet streets of Savannah, 
followed by his wing-commanders, the gallant Howard 
and Slocum. Hour after hour the tramp of Union soldiers 
echoes on the pavements, until at length, in mansions, 
public buildings, and tents, the exultant host settled down 
into comparative repose. The next day the wires of the 



TESTIMONIAL TO GENERAL SHEEMAK 



529 



telegraph transmitted to the President this laconic mes- 
sage : — 

Savankah, Ga., December 22, 1S64. 

His Excellency President Lincoln : 

I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 
one hundred and fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also 
about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. 

W. T. Sheeman, Major-General. 

A few days later, the friends of General Sherman, in 
Columbus, Ohio, called a public meeting to mature a plan 
for raising a sufficient sum to present him with a substan- 
tial testimonial of gratitude and regard. The object is 
given in a letter from the Lieutenant-General to the com- 
mittee, worthy of him and his greatest general : — 

Deae Sras : — I have just this moment received your printed letter in 
relation to your proposed movement in acknowledgment of one of Ohio's 
greatest sons. I wrote only yesterday to my father, who resides in Cov- 
ington, Kentucky, on the same subject, and asked him to inaugurate a sub- 
scription to present Mrs. Sherman with a house in the city of Cincinnati. 
General Sherman is eminently entitled to this mark of consideration, and I 
directed my father to head the subscription with five hundred dollars for 
me, and half that amount from General Ingalls, chief quartermaster of this 
army, who is equally alive with myself to the eminent services of General 
Sherman. 

Whatever direction this enterprise in favor of General Sherman may 
take, you may set me down for the amount named. I cannot say a word 
too highly in praise of General Sherman's services from the beginning of 
the rebellion to the present day, and will therefore abstain from flattery of 
him. Suffice it to say, the world's history gives no record of his superiors, 
and but few equals. 

I am truly glad for the movement you have set on foot, and of the 
opportunity of adding my mite in testimony of so good and great a man. 
Yours, truly, U. S. Geaxt, Lieutenant-General. 

The dying year left Hood' s army, which was to march 
through Indiana and Ohio, scattered like autumn leaves ; 
Price routed in Missouri; "Breckinridge checkmated in 
East Tennessee ;' ' General Canby preparing to take Mo- 
bile ; while General Grant held Lee firmly in his grasp. 

The heavens were blackening above u rebeldom," and 
the last red bolts ready to fall upon the fabric of treason. 
Still the civil leader and his military chief fanned expiring 

34 



530 LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



hope among the people, with, the breath of new promise of 
near success. 

The year 1865 brought fresh victories. General Terry 
redeemed General Butlers failure at Fort Fisher, and 
"Wilmington was no longer the artery to feed the heart of 
the rebellion. Sherman was on his second irresistible 
march. He was penetrating South Carolina. Charleston 
had dropped into our arms without the loss of a man, and 
the invincible army of the West was moving by rapid 
marches toward Xorth Carolina and Virginia, Lee fore- 
saw the end, but he was powerless. He did not dare to 
detach any large force from in front of Grant. That Gen- 
eral was watching for such a movement on the part of his 
adversary, and such a movement would insure the fall of 
Richmond. Lee was helpless. Grant was his master, and 
the rebel chief tacitly acknowledged it, The spring cam- 
paign was at hand, and Sherman rapidly approached 
through North Carolina, driving Johnston, his old oppo- 
nent in Georgia, back at every step. Rebel affairs daily 
became more critical, yet, what could Lee do but wait ? 
When Grant saw proper to open the ball, then Lee might 
be able to decide as to his course — not before. His 
army was composed of the best fighting material, and 
it numbered fully sixty thousand men, and was pro- 
tected by a line of fortifications of the most formidable 
nature." 

General Lee hoped that his antagonist would order an 
assault on these intrenchments, but soon found that the 
man who had outgeneraled him, from the moment the Rich- 
mond game was opened, would not attempt so great a 
risk, to hurry the approaching catastrophe of the Con- 
federacy. 

Lee must do something to break the dreadful spell of 
suspense and dread, to escape from which his troops were 
deserting in companies. January 24th, he surprised our 
forces with a naval movement that was really no mean 
plot, but threatened to us serious disaster. Three iron- 
clads, accompanied by as many wooden vessels and tor- 
pedo-boats, floated down the James River, steering for 
City Point. Could they pass the batteries and seize that 



THE ASSAULT ON FORT STE ADMAN. 



531 



place, our supplies would be cut off, and the programme 
of General Grant's ripening plans be deranged, perhaps 
broken up entirely. The absence of our gunboats, which 
were with Commodore Porter, favored success. But, pro- 
videntially, the iron-clads got aground, and ended the 
spasmodic effort of the dying monster of secession to renew 
its life, by drawing afresh the blood of the Republic. 

March, 1865, all our armies were in motion. Canby 
was operating with a powerful force against Mobile, aided 
by the fleet ; General Wilson, with ten thousand picked 
cavalry, moved from Eastport on an expedition through 
Alabama ; Sherman and Schofield were nearing the borders 
of Virginia from the South. Conscious of his peril, Lee 
resolved to take the initiative, and, by a bold stroke, drive 
Grant from his works. 

On the 25th, therefore, the Confederate Chief made an 
assault on Fort Steadman. His General, Gordon, led three 
divisions in a sudden dash upon the works, which were so 
near their own that it was easy to rush upon them before the 
design could be discovered, and overpower the garrison. 
In a few moments three of the five batteries were turned 
against the Union troops. The next day dawned upon the 
burnished steel of General Hartranft's reserves, whose 
heroic charge reversed the order of things speedily, and 
placed in his hands nearly three thousand prisoners. 

And now opened the work of slaughter among the 
rebels. Across the field over which they were compelled 
to move in their return to their own works, the guns of 
our adjacent forts were pointed, and mowed down the 
•flying ranks like grain before the blade of the reaper. 
Hardly had the first thunder of the massive hail gone over 
the plain before three thousand of the enemy were piled 
upon it, ghastly, bleeding, dead, and dying. 

Lee learned dearly that vigilance and readiness for any 
emergency, as far as possible in any of the chances of war, 
were characteristic of his sleepless foe, and abandoned 
further attempts to dislodge him. 

The withdrawal of Gordon- s men for this attack had 
weakened the extreme left at Hatcher' s Run, and General 
Grant ordered an advance in that direction, gaining and 



532 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



holding strong positions, and extending our lines toward 
the Southside Railroad. The loss to the Union Army at 
Hatcher' s Run was six hundred and ninety ; and that of 
the enemy, according to the estimate of the Lieutenant- 
General, sixteen hundred. 

The Second Corps, which was near the center, was 
ordered to improve on the rebel defeat at Fort Steadman, 
and pushed forward before Fort Fisher, taking the in- 
trenched picket line of the rebel army, whose right rested 
on the Weldon road. Our Ninth Corps confronted Peters- 
burg ; between which and the Second lay the Sixth and 
Twenty-fourth. Beyond the latter was the Fifth, with 
Sheridan's cavalry to look after the enemy's right, and, if 
possible, sweep around it, and fall on the flank and rear 
of the enemy. 

While these events were transpiring, President Lincoln 
reached General Grant's head- quarters, and received just 
such a welcome as a great and magnanimous mind would 
extend to another whose ability and goodness were the 
admiration of the world, and between whom and himself 
existed the most perfect sympathy in the mighty work 
committed so largely to their hands. On Saturday, the 
25th, after the battle already recorded, with Generals 
Grant and Meade, he visited the field, and remarked, 
while his eye glanced over the arena of conquest, referring 
to a display which it was designed should honor his com- 
ing, " This is better than a review.'' 

On Tuesday, the 28th, President Lincoln, Generals 
Grant, Meade, Sherman, Sheridan, and Ord, held a coun- 
cil of war on board the steamer River Queen, at City 
Point. 

At its close, General Sherman hastened back to his 
inarching columns. The concentration of troops now 
went forward, to close around the tottering fortunes of the 
rebellion, and hasten their downfall. 

The Second Corps advanced along the Yaughan road, 
and the Fifth, over by-roads, took a position farther 
on, striking the same road. Skirmishing followed near 
Gravelly Run, succeeded by a brisk fight, ending by the 
enemy's retiring with the loss of one hundred prisoners. 



THE PRESIDENT ON THE BATTLE-FIELD. 



533 



Sheridan was on the extreme left, at Dinwiddie Court- 
House, and beyond it. 

Thursday the rain flooded every thing, and the advance 
was difficult, and comparatively small. 

But on Friday, the 31st, and the two following days, 
General Grant' s whole line was in the fight again, and his 
telegrams reported its progress to the President at City 
Point, whose messages to the War Department, while in 
constant communication with his Lieutenant, are a simple 
and comprehensive account of the momentous issues of the 
deepening and decisive struggle of the spring campaign. 

City Point, Va., March 31, 1865—8 : 30 p. m. 

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

At 12 : 30 p. m., to-day, General Grant telegraphed me as follows : — 
" There has heen much hard fighting this morning. The enemy drove 
our left from near Dabney's House back, well toward the Boydtown plank- 
road. We are now about to take the offensive at that point, and I hope 
will more than recover the lost ground." 
Later he telegraphed again as follows : — 

"Our troops, after being driven back on to the Boydtown plank-road, 
turned round and drove the enemy in turn, and took the White Oak road, 
which we now have. This gives us the ground occupied by the enemy this 
morning. I will send you a rebel flag captured by our troops in driving 
the enemy back. There have been four flags captured to-day." 

Judging by the two points from which General Grant telegraphs, I 
infer that he has moved his head-quarters about one mile since he sent the 
first of the two dispatches. 

A. Lincoln. 

"Washington, April 1—11 p. m. 

Major-General J. A. Dix, New York : — 

The following letter from the President, received to-night, shows the 
desperate struggle between pur forces and the enemy continues undecided, 
although the advantage appears to be on our side. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" City Point, Va., April 1—5: 30 p. m. 

"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: — 

" A dispatch just received shows that Sheridan, aided by Warren, had 
at two o'clock p. m. pushed the enemy back so as to retake the Five Forks, 
and to bring his own head-quarters up to Boissua. The Five Forks was 
barricaded by the enemy, and was carried by Devin's division of cavalry. 
This part of the enemy seems to be working along the White Oak roa$ 
to join the main forces in the front of Grant, while Sheridan and Warren are 
pressing them as closely as possible. 

" A. Lincoln." 



534 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

"Washington, April 2 — 6 A. m. 

Major-General Dix, New York : — 

A dispatch just received from General Grant's Adjutant-General, at 
City Point, announces the triumphant success of our armies, after three 
days of hard fighting, during which the forces on both sides exhibited 
unsurpassed valor. 

Edwin - M. Stanton, Secretary of "War. 

" City Point, April 2—5:30 A. M. 

u Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

" A dispatch from General Grant states that Sheridan's cavalry and 
infantry have carried all before them, capturing three brigades of infantry, 
a wagon train, and several batteries of artillery. The prisoners captured 
will amount to several thousand. 

"T. C. Boweks, A. A.-G." 

"Washington, April 2 — 11 a. m. 

Major-General Dix, New York: — 

The following telegram from the President, dated at 8:30 this morning, 
gives the latest intelligence from the front, where a furious battle was rag- 
ing, with continued success to the Union arms. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

" City Point, Va., April 2— S : 30 a. m. 

'•Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: — 

"Last night General Grant telegraphed that General Sheridan, with his 
cavalry, and the Fifth Corps, had captured three brigades of infantry, a 
train of wagons, several batteries, and several thousand prisoners. This 
morning General Grant, having ordered an attack along the whole line, 
telegraphs as follows : — ' Both Wright and Parke got through the enemy's 
lines. The battle now rages furiously. Sheridan, with his cavalry, and the 
Fifth Corps, and Miles's division of the Second Corps, which was sent to 
him since one o'clock this morning, is now sweeping down from the west. 
All now looks highly favorable. General Ord is engaged, but I have not 
yet heard the result in his front.' 

"A. Lincoln." 

"Washington, April 2—12 : 30 p. M. 

Major-General Dix, New York: — 

The President, in the subjoined telegram, gives the latest news from the 
front. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

"City Point, Va., April 2—11 a. m. 

"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: — 

"Dispatches come in frequently. All is going on finely. Generals 
Parke, Wright, and Ord, extending from the Appomattox to Hatcher's 
Run, have all broken through the enemy's intrenched lines, taking some 
forts, guns, and prisoners. Sheridan, with his cavalry, Fifth Corps, and 
part of the Second, is coming in from the west, on the enemy's flank, and 
AVright is already tearing up the South Side Railroad. 

"A. Lincoln." 



TELEGRAMS OF VICTORY. 



535 



Washington, April 2. 

Major-General Dix, New York : — 

The following telegrams from the President report the condition of 
affairs at half-past four o'clock this afternoon. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

"City Point, Va., April 2—2 p. m. 

" To Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

" At 10 : 45 a. m., General Grant telegraphs as follows : ' Everything has 
been carried from the left of the Ninth Corps. The Sixth Corps alone 
captured more than three thousand prisoners. The Second and Twenty- 
fourth Corps both captured forts, guns, and prisoners from the enemy. 1 
cannot tell the number. 

"'We are now closing around the works of the line immediately 
enveloping Petersburg. All looks remarkably well.' I have not yet heard 
from Sheridan. His head-quarters have been moved up to T. Banks's house, 
near the Boydtown road, about three miles southwest of Petersburg. 

" A. Lincoln." 

" City Point, Va., April 2, 1865— S : 30. 

" Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

"At 4: 30 p. m., to-day, General Grant telegraphs as follows: 

" ' We are now up, and have a continuous line of troops, and in a few 

hours will be intrenched from the Appomattox below Petersburg to the 

river above. 

" 'The whole captures since we started out will not amount to less than 
twelve thousand men, and probably fifty pieces of artillery. 

" ' I do not know the number of men and guns accurately, however. 

"'A portion of Foster's division of the Twenty-fourth Corps made a 
most gallant charge this afternoon, and captured a very important fort 
from the enemy, with its entire garrison. 

" 'All seems well with us, and every thing is quiet just now.' 

" A. Lincoln." 

All Saturday night the cannonading thundered on, and 
in its dread music councils were held over the final acts 
of the national tragedy. There was evidently a weaken- 
ing all along the bristling lines which for a year had 
guarded the fortunes of the rebellious South. The only 
question was, where to strike the yielding harrier to free- 
dom' s march. 

For, should General Lee mass his forces at any point 
during the night, and our advancing columns meet him 
there, a repulse might throw them back again from the 
unbroken lines. To prevent such a miscarriage, it was 
arranged to assault with the Ninth Corps in front of Peters- 



536 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



burg, to draw Lee's forces that way, and leave it more 
open to an assault by the Sixth, Twenty-fourth, and Second 
Corps. So thoroughly did our taciturn leader deceive those 
who were watching his movements, that newspaper cor- 
respondents reported a projected raid to Burkesville by 
Sheridan; an attempt to reach the Southside road, and 
other plans which had no place in the Chieftain' s brain. 

His purpose was, within the circuit of a day, to lay 
before the nation' s eye the hopelessly severed army of the 
rebellion. 

At four o'clock in the morning of Sunday, April 2d, 
the Mnth Corps reflected, from bayonets which had been 
often stained with the blood of victory, the early beams of 
day, the herald glow of greater triumphs near. General 
Parke was close to Petersburg, having Wilcox on his right 
resting upon the Appomattox; Hartranft in the center, 
and Potter with the Second Division on the left. Accord- 
ing to the plan of attack, General Wilcox;, to make a feint, 
crept along to the very walls of the fort, and, at the word 
of command, the First Division broke the morning still- 
ness with their old shout, and dashed forward ; in fifteen 
minutes they were within the works, and the bewildered 
garrison of fifty men with their four guns captured. Hart- 
ranft and Potter followed with a similar onset under cover 
of the darkness, and without firing a gun cut the rebel 
line, seizing four forts, twenty-seven guns, and several 
hundred prisoners. The next moment the ordnance were 
playing upon the ranks of the fugitive foe. 

The Sixth Corps, under General Wright, advanced at 
the same time, and, when the signal' was given to storm, 
Seymour, Wheaton, and Getty repeated in their front the 
deeds of the gallant Mnth. The sun of that Sabbath rose 
upon a glorious 'beginning of the end' of rebellion. 

Two hours later, the Second and Twenty-fourth Corps, 
commanded by Generals Ord and Gibbon, moved across 
the rough and guliied ground, and over the rebel lines. 

The Second Corps, on the opposite side of Hatcher's 
Run also pressed forward through the well-nigh impassable 
slashing, and up the declivity — a march seldom surpassed 
in its difficulties and success — in spite of them all. 



AFFAIRS BEFORE PETERSBURG. 



537 



The First Rhode Island Artillery also did their work 
grandly, and by eight o'clock the rebel line, from Appo- 
mattox to Burgess's Mill was completely crushed in, and 
the Sixth Corps had swung around to the west of the 
doomed city. The Twenty -fourth Corps was on the 
march from Hatcher' s Run, within the enemy' s line, and 
the Second Corps moving the same way on the Boydtown 
road. 

At this triumphant crisis, General Grant left his head- 
quarters at Dabney's Mills, and rode past his exultant 
columns, whose repeated cheers and wild hurrahs rang 
over the tranquil but rejoicing leader, as he surveyed the 
field, to comprehend fully its unfinished work. 

Nine o'clock brought with its vernal splendor some 
of the grandest scenes of the struggle. The battle-tides 
dashed fiercely against each other, hour after hour — rebel 
batteries pouring death into our ranks, suddenly turned 
upon their own — until across the first of the enemy' s in- 
terior lines there was a pause. The Twenty-fourth Corps 
now entered the arena from the left, to participate in the 
thickening strife of the day which was sealing the fate 
of the rebellion. Never did war present a sublimer and 
yet a sadder spectacle than during this brief lull in the 
contest. 

Treason' s lion-like leader was driven within his last nar- 
row limits, around which were floating the Union banners, 
and over these, eclipsing the light of the sun, lay, as far as 
the eye could see, the blue clouds of battle- smoke, while 
the more graceful columns from burning mantdons rose all 
over the landscape, and were drifted away on the balmy 
breath of Spring. 

During the pause, General Grant had matured his de- 
sign for prosecuting the day's great work. The bugle 
notes rang over the field and reopened again the onset of 
Grant' s waiting battalions, moving in three columns upon 
each selected fort. Over the intrenchments rushed the 
boys in blue, some of their number constantly returning 
with their captives in butternut ; not unfrequently a single 
man leading a dozen or more to the rear. On the right, 
the Mnth Corps were bravely resisting the enemy, who 



538 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

were apparently determined to recover the ground they 
had lost, but whose object was to get as safely and soon 
as possible from Petersburg. General Potter was mortal- 
ly wounded. Here was a closely contested position ; but 
with the loss of one fort the enemy was beaten back. " Be- 
fore noon, in plain view and easy range of the third interior 
line of Lee, we were moving in column, as if on a gala- 
day parade ; and so in truth it was ; the Army of the 
Union in joyful attendance on the funeral of the rebellion. 

6 ' At this hour not a sound came from the field, not a gun 
was speaking anywhere, not a shout heard on all the line. 
The rebel lines were as hushed as our own. Their guns 
looked down frowningly upon us from the huge forts in 
which they were encased ; but not one of 'them spoke ; not 
a horse neighed, not a drum or bugle sounded. Not one 
of the ammunition- wagons moving hither over the sandy 
soil of the undulating landscape gave forth a sound. The 
whole field was stilled as if in death. Suddenly one of the 
guns upon the fort, on the rebel left, belched forth a dull 
report. A wreath of rising smoke, the bursting of a shell, 
and all was still again. The next moment another, then 
another, then three guns opened in a continuous roar. 
They were attempting to retard the march of three of our 
brigades gaining the shelter of a small skirt of timber upon 
their left, from which to assault them. Vain hope ! The 
columns move on, paying them not even the compliment 
of a moment' s pause, or of a gun in reply. Poor Lee ! 
struggling like a child in the hand of a giant determined 
to destroy him." 

It soon became evident that Lee was retreating across 
the Appomattox. Our sentinels from their signal-towers 
saw the up-springing flame in the city fired by rebel hands, 
and the departing columns darkening the pontoon bridges 
above the city. In anticipation of this, to cut off the 
rebel chief's retreat, the Second and Fifth Corps had been 
sent to the Appomattox. 

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the bugles again 
sounded the storming of the remaining forts. Within two 
hours General Meade had a highway cleared to the city. 
On the right, the fort taken from us was again captured by 



RETREAT OF GENERAL LEE. 



539 



General Collis' s brigade. Before four o' clock, the fortunes 
of the day were decided. After all his unwearied watch- 
fulness, General Lee had been suddenly overwhelmed ; his 
fifteen well-mounted forts were gone, and all the evi- 
dences of an unexpectedly hasty farewell to Petersburg 
were left in the wake of his retreating columns. Generals 
Grant and Meade took up head-quarters three miles west 
of the city, which was now a worthless relic of a long 
siege. Then followed the terrible explosion of the rebel 
rams Virginia and JRcqipahannocTc, shaking the ground 
for miles around like the wave of an earthquake, signal- 
ing the last deeds of self-destruction. General Ord, when 
called to Petersburg, left, on the north side of the James, 
General Weitzel, with a division of the Twenty-fourth 
Corps and two divisions of the Twenty-fifth, which were 
not employed in active service during Sunday's battle. 
That night there was great activity among the rebels till 
darkness concealed them, and their regimental bands filled 
the air with music. General Weitzel' s troops gave a simi- 
lar concert till the hour of midnight, when silence settled 
upon the contending armies. The thunder of the explod- 
ing rams came to Weitzel' s ear with no doubtful meaning. 
He said to himself, "Lee is evacuating Kichmond." He 
looked away toward the proud capital, and saw the heav- 
ens flushed with the suicidal fires kindled by the maddened 
leaders of revolt, from whose grasp it had been wrung. 
Having orders to push on whenever assured that a way 
was opened to the city, he impatiently waited for the morn- 
ing to light a reconnoissance to its walls. The Fifth Mas- 
sachusetts Cavalry dashed forward as soon as their arms 
could reflect the beams of day, and soon returned to report 
deserted camps and a flying foe. 

J eff. Davis had learned the impending fate of his capi- 
tal, while at church on the Sabbath, and, rising, hastened 
to gather his personal effects and make his escape. The 
way to Kichmond was open. Southwest of Petersburg 
had been found the key that had unlocked its stubborn 
gates, and Weitzel was instantly on the road. Let his own 
dispatch tell the story : — 



540 



LIFE A^ T D CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



City Point, Virginia, April 3 — 11 a. m. 
General "Weitzel telegraphs as follows : — 

"We took Richmond at 8:15 this morning. I captured many guns. 
The enemy left in great haste. 

" The city is on fire in one place. We are making every effort to put 
it out. 

" The people received us with enthusiastic expressions of joy. 
" General Grant started early this morning, with the army, toward the 
Danville road, to cut off Lee's retreating army, if possible." 
President Lincoln has gone to the front. 
(Signed) T. S. Bowers, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

"And so Richmond fell! Richmond, the capital of 
the so-called Confederacy ; the city which for four years 
baffled all efforts for its reduction. Thanks to the genius 
of Grant and a favoring Providence, the rebellion was 
now in the last throes of dissolution. Right and justice 
were again vindicated, and the long, weary, and bloody 
war for the Union, the Constitution, and the perpetuity of 
American liberty was rapidly drawing to a close. The 
chief of the rebellion was a fugitive, his main army was 
broken and flying, and there remained now no hope in his 
mind, or those of his followers, that the Union could ever 
be overthrown, and a Southern Confederacy established." 

" On Sabbath morning, April 2d, 1865, amidst the roar of 
artillery, and the crash, and flame, and smoke of burning 
houses, the great rebellion died. Richmond and Petersburg 
were captured. Hundreds of guns, and thousands of pris- 
oners taken. Lee' s army shattered, broken, and scattered to 
the four winds ! This is the history of the day. The turni ng 
point of the magnificent movement was the battle fought by 
Sheridan at Five Porks Saturday afternoon, with his cavalry 
and the Fifth Corps. The battle was, practically, Long- 
street's ruin. Fifty-seven hundred prisoners and three 
batteries of artillery were the material trophies of the 
victory, but the moral results were of far greater impor- 
tance. Our loss in the battle was severe. The only gene- 
ral officer lost was Brevet Brigadier-General Winthrop, 
commanding the First Brigade of General Ayers' s division 
of the Fifth Corps ; one of those chivalrous soldiers New 
England sent into the war. 



THE FALL OF THE REBEL CAPITAL. 



541 



" The battle was fought and won in Sheridan's accus- 
tomed style. Custer, Devins, and Davis, of the cavalry- 
corps, Griffin, Avers, Crawford, and Bartlett, of the Fifth 
Corps, won new laurels in the fight, and the enemy was 
driven pell-mell from his last Virginia "battle-field, with 
heavy loss in killed and wounded. 

" Longstreet, after his defeat, fled, first north and then 
westward, probably with the hope to effect a junction with 
Johnston in North Carolina. 

" Going from their right to left, the three divisions of 
Hill's corps were holding the line from the Boydtown road 
below Burgess's Mill, to opposite the centre of the Sixth 
Corps, where it joined with Gordon, who held from that 
point around Petersburg to the Appomattox River. 

"Time now became the essential element of the situation, 
and, to fully comprehend the rapid changes that followed, 
it is necessary to bear in mind not days, but hours and 
minutes." 

The prompt and vigorous pursuit of General Lee's 
flying and broken ranks is seen in General Grant's dis- 
patch of April 4th : — 

WiLSox'a Station, Vibgijtca, April 4, 1865. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

The army is pushing forward, in the hope of overtaking or dispersing 
the remainder of Lee's army. 

Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps, is between this and the 
Appomattox, General Meade, with the Second and Sixth, following; Gen- 
eral Ord following the line of the South Side Railroad. All of the enemy 
that retain any thing like organization have gone north of the Appomat- 
tox, and are apparently heading for Lynchburg, their losses having been 
very heavy. • 

The houses through the country are nearly all used as hospitals for 
wounded men. In every direction I hear of rebel soldiers pushing for 
home, some in large and some in small squads, and generally without arms. 
The cavalry have pursued so closely that the enemy have been forced to 
destroy probably the greater part of their transportation, caissons, and 
munitions of war. 

The number of prisoners captured yesterday will exceed two thousand. 
From the 28th of March to the present time, our loss, in killed, wounded, 
and captured, will probably not reach seven thousand, of whom from fifteen 
hundred to two thousand are captured, and many but slightly wounded. 

I shall continue the pursuit as long as there appears to be any use in it. 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

What a war-race was that of which this telegram was a 



542 LIFE AM) CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



signal along tlie way ! G-eneral Lee hurried on, keeping 
the north side of the Appomattox, and General Grant the 
opposite side, both haying for the immediate goal Burke's 
Station, fifty-three miles from Petersburg, where the South 
Side and Danville Railways have their junction. 

General Custer's Third Division was in the cavalry 
advance. On the troops swept toward Xamozine Church, 
where two roads meet, one leading to Lynchburg, the 
other across the Appomattox to Amelia Court- House, skir- 
mishing, and passing emptied caissons surrounded by fire 
to explode them, wagons, ambulances, cartridges, and the 
wrecks of a routed army, with wounded horses and mules 
adding their ghastly and mute suffering to the dismal scene. 

Wells' s second brigade of Custer' s troops came up with 
, Barrenger's rebel cavalry, which turned to fire on the 
Xew York Eighth, while without a pause he charged and 
scattered the hostile horsemen. The other brigades did a 
similar exciting service, the men in high glee, because 
chasing the fugitive Confederacy to its "last ditch." 

Barrenger's brigade were on the left of the Appomattox, 
and tried at each ford to cross and rejoin Lee's main arm}*. 
Xight brought to rest the column, whose pursuit for twen- 
ty miles had been uninterrupted, and rewarded with three 
hundred and fifty prisoners, two flags, and four cannon. 

April 4th, McKenzie's division took the advance, fol- 
lowed by the First Division, with Custer's in the rear. 
Xear midnight of that day, the cavalry were aroused, 
General Custer leading, and marched all night, reaching 
Jettersville, where the Fifth Corps was lying across the 
Danville road, fifty-four miles southwest of Eichmond. 
Here the tidings of General Lee's progress to Amelia 
Court- Ho use were received. 

On the 5th of April, General Custer s division, with 
artillery, was on the left of the Fifth Corps. 

General Sheridan dispatched Davies' s brigade, of Gen- 
eral Crook's division, to seize the junction at Burkesville, 
and disperse any rebel force he might find there. At 
Fame's Cross-roads the enemy was encountered, and lost 
five handsome Armstrong guns, and other material of war, 
with battle-flags, and several hundred prisoners. The gal- 
lant Colonel J ancey was killed. 



SHERIDAN CORNERS LEE. 



543 



At three o'clock General Sheridan heard of the news, 
and sent this original and significant dispatch to Genera 
Grant :— 

Jktteksville, April 5, lS65^-3 v, 31. 

To Lieutenant-General tJ. S. Graxt : — 

General : — I send you the inclosed letter, which will give you an idea 
of the condition of the enemy and their whereabouts. I sent General 
Davies's brigade this morning around on my left flank. He captured at 
Fame's Cross five pieces of artillery, about two hundred wagons, and eight 
or nine battle-flags, and a number of prisoners. The Second Army Corps 
is now coming up. I wish you were here yourself. I feel confident of cap- 
turing the Army of Northern Virginia, if we exert ourselves. I see no 
escape for Lee. I will send all my cavalry out on our left flank, except 
McKenzie, who is now on the right. 

Signed, P. H. Sheeidax, Major- General. 

"Amelia Court-House, April 5, 1S65. 
" Dear Beammia : — Our army is ruined, I fear. We are all safe as yet. 
Theodore left us sick. John Taylor is well ; saw him yesterday. We are 
in line of battle this evening. General Robert Lee is in the field near us. 
Wf trust is still in the justice of our cause. General Hill is killed. I saw 
Murray a few moments since. Bernard Perry, he said, was taken prisoner, 
but may get out. I send this by a negro I see passing up the railroad to 
Michlenburgh. Love to ail. Your devoted son, 

" TV. B. Tatloe, Colonel." 

The Second Corps had come up, and Trent into posi- 
tion. Sheridan had written to Grant: "I see no escape 
for Lee. I will put all my cavalry out on our left flank, 
except McKenzie. who is now on the right," This he pro- 
ceeded to do. Slight skirmishing in the afternoon now 
foretold the attack of the morrow. But we must trace the 
progress of the infantry to the new field of battle. 

The Fifth was in pursuit Monday morning, the 3d, 
shortly after the cavalry, and at two o' clock was in sight 
of the Appomattox. 

Indications of hasty flight were everywhere visible, the 
contrabands having the country to themselves, and joining, 
with lively demonstrations of joy, the Union army. 

This day's march was sixteen miles, and that of the 
next, twenty, terminating at Jettersville, where earth- 
works were thrown up, but no fires kindled, that the 
enemy, only from five to ten miles distant, might not guess 
the proximity of the pursuers. 



\ 



544 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Behind the Fifth, marched the Second ; and next to it> 
the Sixth ; the latter two corps moving under the direc- 
tion of General Meade. 

Foraging supplied the exhausted rations, in striking 
contrast with the retreats of the Peninsular campaign, 
when rebel food was guarded ; and, at two o'clock on the 
4th, all those corps reached Jettersville. 

General Sheridan posted the troops to meet an attack 
from Lee, but none was made. 

General Ord' s column of the Army of the James, with 
which General Grant also moved, marched on the Cox 
road, which runs direct to Burkesville. Nine miles from 
Burkesville a halt was contemplated, but General Sheri- 
dan' s dispatch reached General Grant, and the Twenty- 
fourth Corps was hurried forward, at eleven o'clock camp- 
ing at Burkesville Junction. General Grant was already 
there. 

The Ninth had charge of the army trains, and on the 
6th was ten miles from Burkesville, with one brigade of 
the Second Division thrown forward to the Junction. 

On the 6th of April, occurred the decisive victory 
of Deatonsville. On the night previous, the army lay 
in line of battle, stretching across three or four miles of 
country and facing substantially northward. Custer's di- 
vision of cavalry lay on the right flank and McKenzie' s on 
the ]eft flank. The infantry line was formed with the Sixth 
Corps on the right, the Fifth in the center, and the Second 
on the left. Next morning began our maneuvers. The 
Sixth Corps was transferred from the right to the left. The 
whole army had before noon marched about live miles on 
the road to Deatonsville, six miles distant from Jettersville. 
The enemy was retreating towards Painesville, which was 
the next town westerly from Amelia Court-House to Lynch- 
burg. Our cavalry, however, was there before him. The 
battle at Deatonsville and Painesville left nothing for Lee to 
do bat to surrender. This he did, and on the 9th of April, 
1865, the whole Army of Northern Virginia passed into 
the record of things that were. 

We add the correspondence which passed between 
General Grant and General Lee : — 



THE SURRENDER OF GENERAL LEE. 



545 



Wak Department, > 
Washington, April 9, 1865—0 o'clock p. m. f 

To Major-General Dix, New York : — 

This Department has received the official report of the surrender, this 
day, of General Lee and his army to Lieutenant-General Grant, on the 
terms proposed by General Grant. 

Details will be given as speedily as possible. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

"Head-Quarters Aemies of the United States, f 
April 9—4:30 p. m. f 

" Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of "War : — 

" General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia this afternoon 
upon the terms proposed by myself. The accompanying additional corre- 
spondence will show the conditions fully. 

"U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General." 

THANKS TO GENERAL GEANT AND THE AEMT. 

Wak Department, Washington, D. G, ) 
April 9—9:30 p. m. ' ) 

Lieutenant-General Geant: — 

Thanks be to Almighty God for the great victory with which he has 
this day crowned you and the gallant armies under your command. 

The thanks of this Department, and of the Government, and of the peo- 
ple of the United States — their reverence and honor have been deserved — 
will be rendered to you and the brave and gallant officers and soldiers 
of your army for all time. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 
salutes oedeeed. 

War Department, Washington, D. C, \ 
April 9—10 o'clock p. m. J 

Ordered: That a salute of two hundred guns be fired at the head-quar- 
ters of every army and department, and at every post and arsenal in the 
United States, and at the Military Academy at West Point, on the day of 
the receipt of this order, in commemoration of the surrender of General R. 
E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to Lieutenant-General Grant, 
and the army under his command ; report of the receipt and execution of 
this order to be made to the Adjutant-General, Washington. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

the coeeespondence. 

Clifton House, Va., April 9, 1805. 
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War : — 

The following correspondence has taken place between General Lee and 
myself. There has been no relaxation in the pursuit during its pendency. 

U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

35 



546 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



GENERAL GEANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 7, 1S65. 

General R. E. Lee, Commander C. S. A. : — 

General: — The result of the last week must convince you of the hope- 
lessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia 
in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from 
myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you 
the surrender of that portion of the C. S. army known as the Army 
of Northern Virginia. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant-General Commanding Armies of the United States. 

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT. 

April 7, 1865. 

General : — I have received your note of this date. Though not entire- 
ly of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of further resistance on 
the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire 
to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your 
proposition, ask the terms you will offer, on condition of its surrender. 

R. E. Lee, General. 
To Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies of the 
United States. 

GENERAL GRANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 8, 1865. 

To General R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Army: — 

General : — Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, 
asking the conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia is just received. 

In reply, I would say that peace being my first desire, there is but one 
condition that I insist upon, viz. : — 

That the men surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms 
against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged. 

I will meet you, or designate officers to meet any officers you may name 
for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the purpose 
of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of 
Northern Virginia will be received. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant-General Commanding Armies of the United States. 

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL GRANT. 

April 8, 1865. 

General : — I received at a late hour your note of to-day in answer to 
mine of yesterday. 

I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Vir- 



DISCUSSION OF THE SITUATIONS. 



547 



ginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do 
not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender. But, as the 
restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desire to know 
whether your proposals would tend to that end. 

I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of 
Northern Virginia, but, so far as your proposition may affect the Confede- 
rate States forces under my command, and lead to the restoration of peace. 
I should be pleased to meet you at ten a. m., to-morrow, on the old stage- 
road to Kichmond, betAveen the picket lines of the two armies. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, General Confederate States Armies. 
To Lieutenant- General Geant, Commanding Armies of the United 
States. 

GENERAL GEANT TO GENERAL LEE. 

April 9, 1865. 

General R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A. : — 

General : — Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no authori- 
ty to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for ten a. m., to- 
day, could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am 
equally anxious for peace with yourself; and the whole North entertain 
the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well under- 
stood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most 
desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of 
property not yet destroyed. 

Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss 
of another life, I subscribe myself, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General U. S. A. 

geneeal lee to geneeal geant. 

April 9, 1865. 

General: — I received your note of this morning on the picket line, 
whither I had come to meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were 
embraced in your proposition of yesterday with reference to the surrender 
of this army. 

I now request an interview in accordance with the offer contained in 
your letter of yesterday for that purpose. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, General. 

To Lieutenant-General Geant, Commanding United States Armies. 
general geant to geneeal lee. 

April 9, 1865. 

General R. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate States Armies : — 
Your note of this date is but this moment (11:50 a. m.) received. 
In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg 

road to the Farmville and Lynchburg road, I am at this writing about four 



548 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



miles west of Walter's Church, .and will push forward to the front for the 
purpose of meeting you. 

Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take 
place will meet me. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

THE TEEMS. 

Appomattox Cottkt-Hotjse, April 9, 1SG5. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding 0. S. A. : — 

In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 8th instant, 
I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on 
the following terras, to wit : — 

Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be 
given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such offi- 
cers as you may designate. 

The officers to give their individual paroles not to take arms against 
the United States until properly exchanged, and each company or regimen- 
tal commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. 

The arms, artillery and public property to be packed and stacked, and 
turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not 
embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage. 

This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their 
homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they ob- 
serve their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. 
Very respectfully, 

U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

Head-Quarters Army of Northern Virginia, J 
April 9, 1865. » 

Lieutenant-General U. S. Geant, Commanding U. S. A. : — 

Geneeal : — I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms 
of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you ; as 
they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th 
instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers 
to carry the stipulations into effect. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, General. 

April 9, 1865 ! — Proud and memorable day ! Its de- 
clining sun shone upon an impressive scene at Appomattox 
Court-House, in Virginia. There the able and haughty 
chieftain of the rebellion surrendered, to oar unpretending, 
noble Grant, the whole Army of Northern Virginia —the 
last hope of the seceded States. 



THE FORM OF PERSONAL PAROLE. 



549 



General Lee's losses, in the battles around Petersburg 
and in the pursuit, were over ten thousand men in killed 
and wounded, and twenty thousand men in prisoners and 
deserters, including those taken in battle, and those picked 
up in pursuit ; including all arms of the service, teamsters, 
hospital force, &c, from sixteen to eighteen thousand men 
were surrendered. There were only fifteen thousand mus- 
kets and about thirty pieces of artillery, consequently the 
available lighting force could not have reached much 
above fifteen or twenty thousand men. Our total captures 
of artillery during the battles and pursuit, and at the sur- 
render, amounted to about one hundred and seventy guns. 
Three or four hundred wagons were also surrendered. 

In the agreement for surrender, the officers gave their 
own paroles, and each officer gave his parole for the men 
within his command. The following is the form of the per- 
sonal parole of officers, copied from the original document 
given by Lee and a portion of his staff : — 

"We, the undersigned, prisoners of war belonging to the Army of 
Northern Virginia, having been this day surrendered by General R. E. Lee, 
commanding said army, to Lieutenant-General Grant, commanding the 
armies of the United States, do hereby give our solemn parole of honor 
that we will not hereafter serve in the armies of the Confederate States, or 
in any military capacity whatever, against the United States of America, or 
render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged in such 
manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities. 
R. E. Lee, General. 

W. H. Taylor, Lieutenant-Colonel and A. A.-G. 
Chas. S. Venable, Lieutenant-Colonel and A. A.-G. 
Chas. Marshall, Lieutenant-Colonel and A. A.-G. 
H. E. Praton, Lieutenant-Colonel and Ins.-General. 
Giles Booke, Major and A. A. Surgeon-General. 
H. S. Young, A. A.-General. 
Done at Appomattox Court House, Va., this ninth (9th) day of 
April, 1865. 

The parole is the same given by all officers, and is coun- 
tersigned as follows : — 

The above-named officers will not be disturbed by United States authori- 
ties as long as they observe their parole, and the laws in force where they 
may reside. 

George H. Sharp, General Assistant Provost-Marshal. 



550 



LIFE ATO CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The obligation of officers for the subdivisions under 
their command is in form as follows : — 

I, the undersigned, commanding officer of , do, for the within- 
named prisoners of war, belonging to the Army of Northern Virginia, who 
have been this day surrendered by General Robert E. Lee, Confederate 
States Army, commanding said army, to Lieutenant-General Grant, com- 
manding armies of the United States, hereby give my solemn parole 
of honor that the within -named shall not hereafter serve in the armies of 
the Confederate States, or in military or any capacity whatever against the 
United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until 
properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the 
respective authorities. 

Done at Appomattox Court-House, Va., this 9th day of April, 1865. 

The within-named will not be disturbed by the United States authori- 
ties so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they 
reside. 

The surrender of Lee was followed by that of the troops 
in the Shenandoah Valley voluntarily, with few excep- 
tions. Among the commanders were Generals Moseby 
and Rosser ; the latter, you will recollect, tried his gen- 
eralship on the rear of Sheridan' s army, near Fisher' s Hill. 
Oh ! how the tidings, flying on lightning wing, set the bells 
ringing at midnight of that Sabbath ! Men wept and 
shouted for joy even before the dawn of the morning. 
Then came the marches of glad processions, with music 
and banners, and the crowded sanctuaries with prayer and 
praise. Never, perhaps, before did such a tide of grateful, 
jubilant gladness sweep over a nation, half of whose fami- 
lies were in mourning for the slain heroes. A Christian 
Republic was exultant, but giving God the glory ! Mean- 
while, the peerless Sherman, after a brief rest in his 
Southern marches, April 10th, the day after General Lee's 
surrender, started after his old antagonist, Johnston. Kil- 
patrick, on that day, moved his cavalry out on the road to 
Raleigh, and next day, the 11th, the infantry started in 
very light marching order. The march was, however, quite 
deliberate and easy, as the railroad, broken up by the 
enemy between Raleigh and Goldsboro', was to be re- 
paired. On the 13th, Raleigh was reached, and occupied 
with only a slight skirmish on the outskirts, Johnston fall- 



GENERAL GRANT HASTENS TO WASHINGTON. 



551 



ing back toward Hillsboro'. The enemy had destroyed 
his small navy-yard at Halifax, on the Roanoke, in conse- 
quence of the surrender of Lee. A ram and a gunboat, 
partially completed, were burned. On the 15th, news came 
to the same place that Governor Vance was captured by 
our cavalry between Hillsboro' and Raleigh, on the 13th 
instant. 

After the terms of the surrender were arranged, General 
Grant immediately left the army for Washington, without 
stopping to visit the fallen Capital, or pausing longer by 
the way than was requisite for refreshment. On the 13th 
of April, 1865, he reached Washington, established his 
head-quarters, and went to the War Department, where 
he met the President and Secretary Stanton. He assured 
them that the rebellion was virtually at an end, and that 
the Government might at once cut down its expenses. 
That evening the Secretary telegraphed the following im- 
portant dispatch northward, the first that bore to the nation 
the welcome news that peace was at hand :— 

"Wae Department, "Washington, ) 
April 13—6 p. u. f 

To Major-General Dix, New York: — 

The Department, after mature consideration and consultation with the 
Lieutenant-General upon the results of the recent campaign, has come to 
the following determinations, which will be carried into effect by appropri- 
ate orders to be immediately issued. 

First— To stop all drafting and recruiting in the loyal States. 

Second. — To curtail purchases for arms, ammunition, quartermaster and 
commissary supplies, and reduce the military establishment in its several 
branches. 

Third. — To reduce the number of general and staff officers to the actual 
necessities of the service. 

Fourth. — To remove all military restrictions upon trade and commerce, 
so far as may be consistent with public safety. 

As soon as these measures can be put in operation, it will be made 
known by public order. 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 

General Grant remained at the Capital, to assist the 
Government in reducing the expenses of the military 
departments. 

To gratify the multitude, and enjoy needed relaxation, 



552 LIFE AXD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the President attended Ford' s Theater on the evening of 
April 14th. He was no patron of dissipation, or of amuse- 
ments which are represented Tby the corrupt modern stage. 
He said, when hesitating about going that night, " If I do 
not go, the people will be disappointed. ' ' He went, and the 
telegrams which flew oyer the land told the result. 

Wae Department, Washington \ 
April 15—1:30 a. m. ' 

Major-General Dix, New York: — 

This evening, at about 9:30 p. m., at Ford's Theatre, the President, 
while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and Major 
Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and ap- 
proached behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage, 
brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the 
theatre. The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and pene- 
trated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has 
been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying. 

About the same horn', an assassin, whether the same or not, entered 
Mr. Seward's apartments, and, under pretense of having a prescription 
was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately 
rushed to the bed and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on 
the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is 
that they will prove fatal. The nurse alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who 
was in an adjoining room, and he hastened to the door of his father's room, 
when he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous 
wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward is doubtful. It is not proba- 
ble that the President will live through the night. 

General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre last even- 
ing, but he started to Burlington at six o'clock. 

At a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present, the subject 
of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace were 
discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very 
kindly of General Lee and others of the Confederacy, and of the establish- 
ment of government in Virginia. 

All the members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Seward, are now in at- 
tendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frede- 
rick were both unconscious. 

Edwix M. Staxtox, Secretary of War. 



Wae Depabtiient, Washington, ) 
April 15. > 

Major-General Dix : — ■ 

Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven 
o'clock. Edwix M. Staxtox, Secretary of War. 



The nation was stunned ; then broken-hearted. Such 



SURRENDER OF GENERAL JOHX3TOX. 



553 



demonstrations of grief have no parallel in the world' s his- 
tory — so manifold, profound, and general, attending the 
tidings even in distant lands. The funeral ceremonies on 
the 19th were of the most impressive character. 

The evidence adduced at the trial of Payne and his 
associate conspirators clearly proved that it was their de- 
sign to murder General Grant during the evening. The 
dagger which Booth flourished was undoubtedly intended 
for him. Providence did not permit the additional crime, 
and General Grant was spared to his country. On learn- 
ing of the assassination of President Lincoln, he returned 
to Washington, attended the funeral of his noble friend, 
and was one of the mourners who followed the remains to 
the Capitol. 

During these scenes, General Sherman had opened ne- 
gotiations with General Johnston for the formal surrender 
of his army. But the terms, which, without the assassin's 
exhibition of the animus of the rebellion, would have been 
deemed too liberal, though undesignedly so by the brave 
Sherman, were rejected by the Government, in the hands 
of the new President, with feelings of horror and grief, 
awakened by the terrible tragedy. General Grant was 
ordered to take the field, and on April 26th followed the 
surrender of General Johnston to General Sherman, on the 
same conditions as those accorded to Lee. The transaction 
finely illustrated the magnanimity of General Grant' s char 
acter, and his high opinion of the gifted hero of the Georgia 
campaign. The Lieutenant- General in a few modest words, 
on April 26th, recounted the last great capitulation : — 
; ' Johnston surrendered the forces in his command, embrac- 
ing all from here to Chattahoochie, to General Sherman, on 
the basis agreed upon between Lee and myself for the 
Army of Northern Virginia." 

The victorious leader then returned to Washington, and 
two days after the date of his dispatch, under his direction, 
was issued the subjoined order, along with another, direct- 
ing the corps of the Potomac Army to march by way of 
Richmond to Washington for a grand review, to be fol- 
lowed by the disbanding of the troops. 



554 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Order for reducing the expenses of the Military 
Department. 

"War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, \ 
"Washington, April 28, 1865. j 

Ordered, First. That the chiefs of the respective bureaus of this depart- 
ment proceed immediately to reduce the expenses of their respective 
departments to what is absolutely necessary, in view of an immediate 
reduction of the forces in the field and garrisons, and the speedy termina- 
tion of hostilities, and that they severally make out statements of the 
reductions they deem practicable. 

Second. That the Quartermaster-General discharge all ocean transports 
not required to bring home troops in remote departments. All river and 
inland transportation will be discharged, except that required for the 
necessary supplies of troops in the field. Purchases of horses, mules, 
wagons, and other land transportation will be stopped ; also purchases of 
forage, except what is required for immediate consumption. All purchases 
for railroad construction and transportation will also be stopped. 

Third. That the Commissary General of Subsistence stop the pur- 
chase of supplies in his department for such as may, with what is on hand, 
be required for the forces in the field on the 1st of June next. 

Fourth. That the Chief of Ordnance stop all purchase of arms, ammu- 
nition and material therefor, and reduce the manufacturing of arms and 
ordnance stores in Government arsenals, as rapidly as can be done without 
injury to the service. 

Fifth. That the Chief of Engineers stop work on all field fortifications, 
and other works, except those for which specific appropriations have been 
made by Congress for completion, or that may be required for the proper 
protection of works in progress. 

Sixth. That all soldiers in hospitals, who require no further medical 
treatment, be honorably discharged from service, with immediate payment. 
All officers and enlisted men who have been prisoners of war and are now 
on furlough or at parole camps, and all recruits in rendezvous, except those 
for the regular army, will be likewise honorably discharged. Officers, 
whose duty it is under the regulations of the service to make out rolls and 
other final papers connected with the final discharge and payment of sol- 
diers, are directed to make payment without delay, so that the order may 
be carried into effect immediately. 

Seventh. The Adjutant-General of the army will cause immediate 
returns to be made by all commanders in the field, garrisons, detachments 
and forts, of ther respective forces, with a view to their immediate reduc- 
tion. 

Eighth. The Quartermasters of Subsistence, Ordnance, Engineers, and 
Provost-Marshal General's Departments, will reduce the number of clerks 
and employes to that absolutely required for closing the business of their 



GENERAL KIRBY SMITH BROUGHT TO TERMS. 



555 



respective Departments, and will, without delay, report to the Secretary of 
"War the number required of each class or grade. The Surgeon-General 
will make a similar reduction of surgeons, nurses, and attendants in his 
bureau. 

Ninth. The chiefs of the respective bureaus will immediately cause 
proper returns to be made out of public property in their charge, and a 
statement of property in each that may be sold upon advertisement and 
public sale, without prejudice to the service. 

Tenth. That the Commissary of Prisoners will have rolls made out 
of the name, residence, time and place of capture, and occupation of all 
prisoners of war who will take the oath of allegiance to the United States, 
to the end that such as are disposed to become good and loyal citizens of 
the United States, and who are proper objects of Executive clemency, may 
be relieved, upon terms that the President shall deem fit and consistent with 
the public safety. 

By order of the Secretary of War. 

W. A. Nichols, A. A.-G 

Official — Thos. M. Vincent, A. A.-G. 

On the 4th of May, 1865, General Richard Taylor, com- 
manding the rebel forces in Alabama, Mississippi, and 
East Louisiana, surrendered to Major- General Canby, and 
this closed the conflict east of the Mississippi river. 

Beyond it, Kirby Smith showed a determination to hold 
out to the last and prolong the war. General Grant re- 
solved to bring him also to terms, and a powerful expedi- 
tion was fitted out at Fortress Monroe, under the command 
of Major-General Philip Sheridan. He proceeded by way 
of the Mississippi river to New Orleans, but, before reach- 
ing that point, Smith had heard of the surrender of Lee, 
Johnston, and Taylor, and he, too, accepted the terms 
granted to Lee, and surrendered the forces under his com- 
mand. 



556 LIFE AKD CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

GENERAL GRANT'S MOVEMENTS AFTER THE SURRENDER. 

General Grant visits Burlington and Philadelphia. — A munificent Gift. — General 
Grant's Acceptance of it. — Returns to "Washington. — Capture of Jeff. Davis. — 
The Grand Review. — General Grant makes a Tour to New York and New 
England. — Goes to the British Provinces. — Incidents at Quebec. — Journey to 
the West. — Scenes along the Route. — At President Lincoln's Tomb. — Among 
his Old Friends. — General Grant's Character. 

May 2d, General Grant visited his home in Burlington, 
New J ersey, which had been the residence of his family 
since he entered upon his eastern campaign, returning to 
Philadelphia on the 3d, to take possession of the elegantly 
furnished and tasteful mansion on West Chestnut street, 
presented to him by the citizens. He then repaired to 
Washington, and was present at the grand review of our 
returning legions — a spectacle, in grandeur and impressive 
associations, never approached "before on this continent. 

June 8th, General Grant was in New York. The Astor 
House was his temporary home. The Sixty -first Massachu- 
setts, returning from the battle-field, passed the hotel, and 
were told that the chief those brave troops had followed was 
there. Then went up such a shout as never before rang 
over that resort of distinguished men ; for strong, brave 
hearts, which had beat calmly in battle, were making an 
effort to express the fullness and intensity of their devotion 
to him who had led them to victory. 

At the Union League Rooms he was importuned again 
for a speech, and responded with his accustomed brevity : 
" Gentlemen, I bid you good-night. I am much obliged 
to you for this reception." 

In August, the Lieutenant- General started on a tour to 
New York, Canada, and the West. At Albany, the capi- 
tal of the Empire State, the excited crowd followed his 
very shadow. 



GENERAL GRANT EN ROUTE FOR BOSTON. 



557 



From Boston, Governor Andrew dispatched Adjutant- 
General Schouler to Albany, with a letter of invitation, in 
the name of the commonwealth, to visit Massachusetts. 
The commander-in-chief was already en route for Boston. 

General Grant left Saratoga at seven o' clock on Satur- 
day morning, July 29th, reaching Albany just before ten 
o'clock a. m. The following persons constituted his party : 
Lieutenant- General U. S. Grant ■ and Mrs. Julia Grant ; 
Masters Frederick Grant and TJ. S. Grant, Jun. ; Misses 
Ellen W. Grant and Jessie R. Grant ; two servants ; Colo- 
nel O. E. Babcock ; Colonel Hiram Porter ; Colonel Adam 
Badeau, Military Secretary ; Colonel E. L. Parker. At 
Albany an elegant saloon car had been fitted up for the 
party by Superintendent Gray, of the Western Road, sup- 
plied with furniture from Mr. Gray's own residence in 
Springfield. The car was neatly draped with American 
flags, and furnished with rich arm chairs. At either 
end a stuffed eagle, with wings outspread, and a fine 
portrait of the General formed graceful and significant 
adornments. The engine was decorated with bunting and 
floral wreaths, and upon it two silk flags, bearing the 
names of "Lincoln" and "Grant," 

At Chatham Corners, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Wor- 
cester, and other towns along the route, spontaneous ex- 
pressions of grateful admiration by the people were 
enthusiastic, and unsurpassed since the days of Washing- 
ton. The crowd at the depot in Boston was immense, and 
so wild with excitement that it was extremely difficult for 
the police to clear a passage to the carriages waiting to re- 
ceive the distinguished visitors. It was said by a journal- 
ist, who was on the ground, that on the appearance of the 
party at the entrance of the station, " such cheers rent the 
air as were never heard in the greeting of any man before. 
A welcome so ardent and enthusiastic has not been given 
to any other guest in this city, and in no other we are told 
has it been equaled." As the cortege moved through 
Washington and Tremont streets, toward the Revere 
House, "the streets were thronged ; cheer upon cheer rose 
from the crowds upon the sidewalks, on the balconies, and 
at the windows. The glorious old flag was displayed at 



558 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



numerous points, and, as the procession passed the Com- 
mon, a national salute was fired by a section of Captain 
French's battery." After supper, at which the Governor 
presided, Gilmore's full band serenaded the Chief, and, 
in response to repeated calls for a speech, the Governor 
said 

" Gentlemen -The General desires me to say, that he 
highly appreciates the honor of your call this evening, and 
that he will be happy to meet his friends and take them 
by the hand Monday at twelve o'clock." 

General Grant and suite attended the Old South Church, 
of Revolutionary memory, on the following day, and lis- 
tened to a prayer by the venerable Dr. Jenks, becoming 
the temple and worship of God, breathing devout patriot- 
ism, and to an excellent discourse by the Reverend Mr. 
Manning, from Matthew xi. 29. 

After the reception at Faneuil Hall on Monday, and 
visiting various places of interest, he left the city for 
Quebec by way of Portland. From that city he attended 
commencement at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, whose 
faculty conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. 
The reception and the whole occasion was one of the live- 
liest interest, and memorable in the history of that excel- 
lent institution. General Grant also visited Augusta, the 
capital of Maine, where the demonstrations were similar to 
those which had everywhere greeted him. And after he 
had crossed the boundary of the Republic, the subjects 
of the English queen seemed to forget British sympathy 
with the rebel cause, and vied with their American cousins 
in the homage paid to the greatest living captain. 

One of the company on board the steamer Europa, 
which conveyed General Grant and his party from Quebec 
to Montreal, relates several interesting incidents. 

When tourists at Quebec learned that General Grant 
was to go up the river by boat, there was a rush for tick- 
ets. Every state-room and berth was speedily engaged. 
There was a crowd on board, and the steward was trans- 
forming the saloon tables into bedsteads. The passengers 
improved the occasion to stare ad libitum at the Lieu- 
tenant-General. Many were introduced ; many intro- 



GENERAL GRANT IN CANADA. 



559 



duced themselves. His uniform courtesy to all was the 
theme of remark. His departure from Quebec was marked 
"by the same enthusiasm which greeted him on his arrival. 
The wharf was packed with people, who cheered vocifer- 
ously. Records one of the party : — 

6 ' Among those who called upon him was Sir James Hope, 
Admiral, commanding her Majesty's navy in America. He 
drove up to the hotel this afternoon, with three of the offi- 
cers of his fleet in full dress. A second carriage contained 
his valet and boxes, enough to freight one of Adams & Co.'s 
express- wagons. The contrast between the two men was 
very great. The Admiral is taller than General Grant, and 
older by .fifteen or twenty years, with iron-gray hair, white 
whiskers trimly brushed, a gray eye, florid face, quick and 
vigorous in his actions, and a good-natured countenance. 
General Grant is so well known that I need not give a 
description of his personal appearance. 

"Sir James found a plain man in plain clothes. The 
Admiral and his officers were gorgeous in gold lace, bright 
buttons, crimson sashes, chapeaux, nodding plumes, epau- 
lets, and stars. After the call, the Admiral sat down with 
General Grant and enjoyed a cigar. He gave free expres- 
sion to his admiration of General Grant. He said that he 
was surprised to see a man so unostentatious. ' He is not 
at all like our officers,' he said. The Admiral laid aside 
his coat, chapeau, and plumes, and appeared in naval 
undress — of white pants, blue coat, and plain cap. 

" It is interesting to hear the comments. There is a 
large, stout, white-haired man, dressed in Canada gray, 
accompanied by his wife and daughter on a trip, 

I intended to spend another day in Quebec,' said 
he, ' but, when I found General Grant was going up river, 
I thought I would go in the same boat, and so secured 
tickets. My wife feels bad not to see Montmorenci, but 
then she can see General Grant.' 

" ' How does he impress you V I asked 

" ' Oh, he is a gentleman. He is a plain man, and the 
more I see of him the better I like him. He isn't stuck up 
at all, but wears his honors quietly,' was the reply. 

" On the sofa opposite to me is a young snob, dressed 



560 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

in a short gray roundabout. He lias red whiskers, of the 
shoebrush pattern, and is quizzing the General through his 
eye-glasses. 

" 'Aw, I don't see any thing remarkable about him,' 
he says to a fellow of the same breed, who sits beside him. 

" If the subject of their remarks was exceedingly digni- 
fied, and wore full military dress, with epaulets, stars, gold 
lace and gilt buttons, if he looked haughtily upon every- 
body present, if he was proud enough not to see any one 
who was not presented with formality and dignity, doubt- 
less those fellows would see something remarkable in him. 
They have not sense enough to know that his unostenta- 
tious manners, his urbane treatment of all who approach 
him, is so very remarkable that the people recognize it at 
once. 

' ' I stood upon the guard when the boat left the wharf 
at Quebec, and listened to the crowd. 
" ' He's a brick,' said one. 

" ' That is the man who licked the rebs.,' said another 
who stood by his side. 

" ' I had a brother who fit under him,' said a third. 

" Walking around the citadel, I fell into conversation 
with the soldier who conducted our party. He belongs to 
the Rifles. ' I had a brother who was under Grant,' said 
he. 6 He was wounded in front of Petersburg, and has 
got his discharge.' 

" ' What does he say of General Grant V I asked. 

" ' Oh, he says he is a bully boy.' 

" Then he began to talk about the fortifications. 

" ' These are no good. I reckon your guns which you 
have got would knock these walls to pieces mighty quick.' 
Then looking across the river, he pointed out the place 
where the new fortifications are to be erected at Point Levi, 
and said : ' What good will they do when completed \ 
They may keep a vessel from coming up the river ; but if 
we had war with you, Grant would come up from Maine, 
and take us on the land side.' 

" There was more practical wisdom in what he said than 
in the whole Board of Admiralty, or whatever board of 
the home government sat upon the Canadian defense ques- 



AN ATTEMPT TO INJURE GENERAL GRANT. 



561 



tion. Canada can't be defended anymore than the Con- 
federacy conld be defended. Are the English lords and 
admirals bats, that they don't see it ?" 

From the Canadas, General Grant extended his tour to 
the West, the home of his childhood, and also of his riper 
years. At every stopping-place there was only the varia- 
tion in the welcome, which the people and circumstances 
would naturally give to the expression of adulation. 

Chicago, the great business mart and metropolis of the 
West, received the Lieutenant- General with the whole- 
souled enthusiasm characteristic of her enterprising peo- 
ple. Indeed, he had a series of magnificent receptions 
all the way from Chicago to Galena, his home. An in- 
cident occurred at Elgin, which seems to be a repetition 
of a like one, on several occasions, during General 
Grant's recent excursion from Washington to Maine, and 
through Canada. At EJgin, while the Lieutenant-General 
was receiving the salutations of the people, standing on the 
rear platform of the car, a ruffian approached him in the 
garb of a farmer, seized him violently by the hand, and 
attempted to jerk him from the platform. Colonel Bab- 
cock, who was standing on the lower step of the platform, 
to protect the General, saw the movement, and struck the 
ruffian a blow with his cane, and at the same time seized 
him by the throat and compelled him to loose his vice-like 
gripe. The General was more excited by the occurrence 
than he was ever known to be before. 

Some pleasant things were related on the occasion of 
General Grant's visit to the places of his early residence 
by citizens who had known the Grant family. The Com- 
mander' s horsemanship is proverbial; being regarded as 
the best rider in the army. 

"There is a hill west of the village of Georgetown that 
separates the town from the bottom-lands of White Oak 
Creek. Before the pike was finished, the road went up 
and over the backbone of the hill, one side of which was 
frightfully precipitate, the other more gentle and sloping. 
The 'old folk' named these 'Judgment' and 'Mercy,' re- 
spectively ; as whoever went over on the perpendicular 
side might be sure of broken bones, and fortunate if he 

36 



562 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



escaped without a broken neck. It was over this hill that 
the villagers hauled their sand and boulders for building 
and street purposes, from the creek below. Teamsters with 
stout four-horse teams often got £ stalled ' hereabouts, and 
I suspect were not mindful of the injunctions against pro- 
fanity in their perplexity. Young Grant, then a lad of ten 
or eleven years, provided with a two-horse team, passed a 
good deal of time at this laborious work ; but such was 
his success, that he managed to make two horses do as 
much work as the four of other men, and never stalled 
his team. Remarking this, one of the teamsters asked the 
lad how it happened that he never got stalled, and his 
reply was, ' I never got stalled myself, and so my horses 
never get stalled either which some might take to be an 
indication of that determination and resolute purpose which 
illustrate the career of the General as a soldier." 

General Grant stopped for a day at Georgetown, Brown 
County, Ohio, where he passed several years of his early 
life. The people poured out from their houses to see him, 
and he was constrained to make the following speech — the 
longest he was ever known to deliver : — 

Ladies and Gentlemen of Beown County : — You are all aware that I 
am not in the habit of making speeches. I am glad that I never learned 
to make speeches when I was young, and now that I am old I have no de- 
sire to begin. I had rather start out in any thing else than in making 
a speech. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I can only say to you that it 
affords me very much pleasure to get back to Brown County, where my 
boyhood was spent. 

A Union meeting was held in the afternoon on the Fair 
Grounds, at which the General' s father made the following 
' £ nubby ' ' speech : — 

It gives me a great deal of pleasure to look so many of my old friends in 
the face again, and have the privilege of saying farewell, for I never expect 
to see you again. 

We have just passed through a severe conflict — a gigantic rebellion, a 
cruel, bloody, savage, and wicked civil war — a war that is a disgrace to 
civilization. But how did you get out? When the country was assailed 
by rebels, its flag fired upon, your friends set forth ; they sacrificed the com- 
forts of domestic life, the happiness of their firesides ; they put on the army 
blue, took the death-dealing musket, and slung the knapsack and blanket, 



SPEECH OE MR. JESSE GRANT. 563 



and wont forth determined to crush the rebels and put down the rebellion. 
They did put them down — crushed the rebellion, and subdued the traitors 
to the Union; and now they are on their marrow-bones seeking pardon, 
and your friends have returned home to your hearths and hearts. 

Now there is a great duty resting upon you. The fight is transferred 
to the ballot. It is your duty now to vote down this miserable Copperhead 
faction. It is said we have conquered a peace. This is true ; it is not a, 
petty, patched-up Copperhead-Democratic peace; it is one obtained by the 
sword, and the youngest child is not living who will see the sword again 
raised against the Government. It is your duty, as patriotic citizens of 
Brown County, not to allow this old locofoco, Copperhead, Lecompton fac- 
tion to be galvanized into life, on the pretense that it is the only party that 
can save the country. I don't know how that could be, unless on the prin- 
ciple that the hair of the dog is good for the bite. 

The venerable and worthy Jesse K. Grant appeared 
hale and intelligent. His education was limited, having 
no schooling when a boy, excepting that enjoyed in the 
family of David Todd, father of the late Governor of Ohio, 
of which he said : — 

" And that, as I had to chop wood for two fires, and do other chores, was 
very little." It was while living on the Reserve that the news came of the 
death of General Washington. Jesse, then five years of age, observing his 
mother weeping, asked her what was the matter. " General Washington 
is dead!" she replied. "Was he any relation of yours ?" inquired the 
wondering child. "And that," said the veteran, " was the first I knew of 
the Father of his Country." 

General Grant visited the tomb of Abraham Lincoln. 
The burial-place, Oak Ridge, is about two miles from the 
city, and consists of a tract of land of about eighty-eight 
acres, which is in future to be considered as the Springfield 
Burial-ground proper. The remains are still unburied, 
and lie in the reception-house, just as they came from 
Washington, watered by the tears of the nation. A guard- 
tent is pitched opposite to this house of the dead, on a 
rising knoll, surrounded by trees. Three sentries guard 
the sacred remains night and day, and the stone doors are 
kept open, so that the air may circulate freely through the 
place. An iron gate protects the remains from a close in- 
trusion, although one can see the two coffins — those of the 
father and of the little son, who was carried here from 
Washington with him, to their final resting-place. 



564 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



The scene was deeply impressive, when the great Cap- 
tain silently stood within the narrow abode of the mortal 
remains of him from whom he had received his highest 
honors, and who had reposed implicit and loving confi- 
dence in the military leader of the Republic. 

While the train was waiting at a station, an old, weather- 
beaten soldier put his head out of the window, and asked 
which was General Grant's carriage. "I want to see his 
dear old face again," he said. "I have served under him 
two years, and lost this, ' ' pointing to the right-arm sleeve 
of his coat, "for him and the country." The carriage was 
pointed out to him, and he went off from one car to 
another to see, as he said, that "dear old face again." 
The General recognized him and shook hands with him. 
It made him feel as happy as if that right arm were not 
rotting on the mud-banks before Richmond. 

" As the train whirled past Yirden, a beautiful bouquet, 
most tastefully arranged, and with a floral cryptic in it, 
which is deciphered perhaps by this time, was cleverly 
thrown into the carriage. It fortunately alighted upon the 
arm of the Hon. Charles Wilson, of the Journal, and was 
thus saved. Mr. Wilson handed it over to General Grant, 
who, on examining it, found this inscription on it: 'To 
General Grant, with the best regards of the ladies of Yir- 
den.' This was made secure by a piece of ribbon, and 
both the General and his lady expressed themselves highly 
delighted with it. Mrs. Grant carefully wrapt up the in- 
scription and put it into her pocket." 

Galena, General Grant's last place of business, spared 
no endeavor to assure him of the appreciation of his fellow- 
citizens, among whom he lived, a "thoughtful, reflective, 
large-minded man — the soul of honor." All business was 
suspended, and flags fluttered in the air, like unnumbered 
wings of red, white, and blue. 

In the windows of the De Soto Hotel alone were one 
hundred and eighty of these national emblems. On one 
side of a triumphal arch was inscribed : 

Welcome to our Citizen. 

Weldon Railroad, Richmond, Petersburg, 

Wilderness, Fair Oaks, Five Forks. 



GENERAL GRANT AT GALENA. 



565 



On the other side : 



Hail to the Chief who ia triumph advances. 



Belmont, 
Donelson, 
Shiloh, 



Corinth, Vicksburg, 
Lookout Mountain, Appomattox C. H. 
Chattanooga, 



The whole was decorated with flags, streamers, and ever- 
greens in the most beautiful manner. This arch is but a few 
doors from the store where the General used to sell leather. 

He was welcomed by the Hon. E. B. Washburne, who 
said : — 

Permit me to say here, General, that as you were the first general 
officer from our city intrusted with important commands and engaged in 
active military operations, your loyal fellow-citizens watched your career 
with unflagging interest, and followed your fortunes with a faith that never 
faltered. When calumny and detraction swept over you, your friends and 
neighbors breasted the wave, and your laurels were never withered by any 
of the soldiers of Jo Daviess, who followed your victorious banners. And 
when you poured your leaden hail into the rebels, it is no wonder they 
thought you hailed from the " Galena Lead Mines," where the people sell 
that product in time of peace, but give it away in time of war. 

We welcome you not only to your Galena home but to your own noble 
and gallant State, which has made a record during the war which makes 
the hearts of all her loyal sons swell with pride. The blood of her soldiers 
moistens every battle-field of the Republic. It is in our State where repose 
the ashes of Lincoln and Douglas. Lincoln, the martyred President, struck 
down by the assassin hand of slavery, and who illustrated in his life the 
purest patriotism, the sublimest courage, and the most elevated devotion to 
the cause of his country and of liberty. Douglas, the illustrious Senator, 
the gifted statesman, the champion of popular rights, falling, alas ! too 
soon! but with love of country in his heart, and words of patriotism 
on his lips. 

The empire of the Northwest, with its teeming millions of patriotic 
hearts, is everywhere vocal with its cordial reception, and in the name of 
our regenerated and disenthralled country, in the name of our restored 
Union, in the sacred name of liberty, all, all bid you welcome. 

General Grant stepped forward and made his second 
public speech, as follows : — 

Gentlemen and Fellow- Citizens : — The Rev. Mr. Yincent, who has 
come out on the train from Chicago, has kindly consented to return my 
thanks for this hearty welcome, which you have given me. 



The reverend gentleman named, who is of the Trinity 



566 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, and who was Gen- 
eral Grant' s former pastor at Galena, then made a speech 
for the General. 

On a hill, about an eighth of a mile from the town, and 
overlooking the river and a vast country, including most 
of the town, is a beautiful residence which the citizens have 
purchased for the General. I give a description of it, 
handed me by one who has dared to stand up alone in the 
cause of freedom, when it cost something to do so. The 
house is on an acre of ground, the highest and most sightly 
around the city. The loyal citizens did not wait for a 
Copperhead city government to build sidewalks, but built 
them themselves from the depot to the house, which cost 
eleven thousand five hundred dollars, and the furniture 
four thousand five hundred dollars, purchased by a few 
of the friends and neighbors of the Lieutenant-General. 

Cannons roared, bands played, and the crowds cheered. 
Carriages were ready, and a procession was formed. After 
a short march, the stand was reached, and Mr. Washburne 
welcomed General Grant home. On first coming to the 
stand, General Grant acknowledged the cheers by bowing 
and giving a pleasant and modest smile. At the conclu- 
sion he spoke a few words, simply thanking the people, 
as on other occasions. It was expected he would make a 
speech here at least. The Rev. J. H. Vincent, of Chicago, 
spoke for him in a few eloquent words. 

After this, General Grant and his family were driven to 
the new house on the hill. As they were about to enter, 
the bells in the churches on the hills and in the valleys 
began to ring. 

After visiting his father's house, in Covington, Ken- 
tucky, and Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, where 
he was born, he returned to Washington. 

November 10th, the City of New York gave the Gen- 
eral a reception rarely equaled even in that demonstrative 
metropolis. The description of his arrival at the Fifth 
Avenue Hotel, where a magnificent banquet was prepared, 
and generals, admirals, statesmen, divines, and millionaires 
were assembled, reminds one of the scene at Erfurth, when 
Napoleon entered the crowded saloon where Europe' s kings 



RECEPTION AT FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL. 



567 



were waiting for him, and the famous Talma dared not be- 
gin his entertainment till the conqueror came. 

At half-past eight o'clock, cheers from the outside crowd 
announced the arrival of General Grant at the hotel. There 
was a waving of the glittering throng, a hushed murmur of 
"Here he comes," and a general upraising of heads. Two 
minutes more, and the Lieutenant-General enters, accom- 
panied by his little son, and leaning upon the arm of Gen- 
eral Prosper M. Wetmore. Every eye is bent upon the 
distinguished soldier ; every movement indicates a heart- 
felt enthusiasm for the man, while a general clapping of 
hands gives outward demonstration of the feelings of all. 
The parlor intended for the General was not quite ready, 
and the committee conducted him to their own apartment. 
On entering, General Grant met General Heintzelman, with 
whom he shook hands cordially. The throng of ladies and 
gentlemen followed into the apartment, forming a circle 
around General Grant, who on entering took a seat. His 
little son stood in front, on whom the General smiled pater- 
nally several times. After a few minutes' delay, General 
Hooker arrived, and, shaking hands with his distinguished 
superior, took a seat beside him. Mr. A. T. Stewart then 
came in and conducted General Grant to the room prepared 
for his occupation. 

He to whom the proud ovation of the evening was paid, 
though all eyes were attracted to him and steadily bent on 
him, was perhaps the least affected person in that brilliant 
assemblage. Indeed, he looked as if he would have pre- 
ferred to vacate the place which the etiquette of the occa- 
sion required him to take, and mingle with the throng 
that anxiously awaited the moment of presentation, that 
they might do him "reverence meet." The General was 
dressed in full uniform, but without sword or belt. The 
three silver stars on either shoulder denoted his rank of 
Lieutenant-General of the armies of the United States, 
while on his breast he carried the insignia of the various 
corps of the late armies, handsomely and artistically com- 
bined. He looked exceedingly well, and his features bore 
the pleasing smile habitual to him. For a little he allowed 
his eye to wander over the rich decorations, the banners, 



568 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the vases of flowers that seemed to have been called from 
every land where flowers are fairest and rarest, over the 
rich mirrors upon the walls, the flags and streamers, and 
all the evidence that a people' s heart must be in the act of 
which all this display was but the natural outward acces- 
sory and prerequisite. And his heart must have throbbed 
as that thought presented itself, and then 

"Proudly kindled the chieftain's eye, 
Well pleased, I ween, to see 
The land assemble all its wealth 
Of grace and chivalry," 

to do him honor — an assurance in that, with the first 
great saviour of the republic, he will also stand as first in 
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
men. 

About eleven o'clock, the hero sat down to a select 
banquet in one of the elegant dining apartments of the 
palatial home for travelers. 

A. T. Stewart, Esq., the chairman of the committee, 
presided at the head of the table, and Judge Bonney at the 
end. On the right of the President sat Mrs. Grant, while 
General Grant occupied a seat on the left. 

The number of guests in this room was limited to forty, 
and among them we observed Senator Morgan, Generals 
Wool, Dix, Ingalls, Barlow, Yiele, John Van Buren, Ad- 
miral Bell, W. E. Dodge, Peter Cooper, Jonathan Sturges, 
Mr. Detmold, Bishop Potter, Archbishop McCloskey, 
Reverends Henry Ward Beecher, Drs. Adams and Thomp- 
son, and the wives of these gentlemen. 

After the guests had partaken of the choice viands, 
during which a band, which was stationed outside the 
hall, discoursed choice music, the company engaged in an 
animated conversation for some moments. The guest of 
the evening sat in silence, pondering, no doubt, upon the 
brilliant spectacle which passed before him. If some 
would be disposed to call him a conqueror, it might be 
then said of him "He conquered not for fame, but for free- 
dom ; not for ambition, but for country." The man whom 
the people delighted to honor by this distinguished mark 



SPEECHES AT THE BANQUET. 



569 



of their approbation was looked upon as the preserver of 
the nation, and by his valorous deeds he won 

The nation's love — a priceless gem; 
Who wins it needs no diadem. 

The chairman said : — I shall propose the health to you of one whom you 
delight to honor, as we all know that we are indebted to our distinguished 
guest more than to any other man living for the blessings that we now en- 
joy. It is not in my line precisely to make a speech to you. I therefore 
will propose to you the health, happiness, and long life of General Grant. 

General Grant, after a silence of a few minutes, rose and said : — I am 
greatly indebted to the citizens, ladies, and gentlemen of New York City, 
for the great kindness that I have received during the ten days that I have 
been with them. You know it is not my habit to make speeches, and I 
hope you will excuse me from saying any more ; but I do thank them from 
the bottom of my heart. 

Eeverend Dr. Thompson was called upon, and responded as follows : — 
I obey the summons which was brought to me at this instant as emanating 
from martial law. I am bound to yield obedience to the powers that be, 
especially when I see them sustained by that military power which has 
secured to us the permanence of good government, of freedom, and under 
that government of education and religion, of home and school, of all that 
we value for ourselves, and that we cherish for our posterity. I will sim- 
ply say in one word, that, in addition to all that I owe in common with the 
multitude of my fellow-citizens to our distinguished guest, I recognize a 
special obligation, as a Christian man, in connection with that work which 
is my calling, for the interpretation of two grand ideas — the power of pa- 
tience and the power of faith. While the General sat waiting before Pe- 
tersburg and Richmond, silent as to his plans, yet in his own mind com- 
prehending all the future, waiting the accomplishment and the develop- 
ment of schemes known only to himself and his coadjutors, he was giving 
to this nation a lesson in the moral virtue of patience which we shall never 
forget, and which we, as a people, especially need. At the same time as 
he sat there thus silent, but ever watchful, he was interpreting to us the 
workings of Divine Providence — noiseless but sure — seeing the end from 
the beginning, and marching steadily onward to the accomplishment of that 
end without prematurely unveiling the plan, but when the work is accom- 
plished unfolding all in its beauty and perfection. I derive, sir, from 
our illustrious guest lessons in these particulars that shall not only last 
me through life for my personal comfort and guidance, but shall inspire 
me in the work to which I am specially devoted. I have learned to-night 
a little of what that virtue of patience must have been on the battle-field 
in those long watches and endurances, before the consummation, as I have 
seen the General so calmly enduring the persistent besieging of his ad- 
miring friends. 

Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was loudly called for, and responded 



570 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



in a few happy remarks. He said : — We are gathered together this evening 
to pay our more than respects, our affectionate respects, to one whom this 
country is proud of; but not altogether either to him, except as he repre- 
sents the officers and the men of our whole army, for that honor which we 
bestow upon General Grant we know will pass through him to them, who 
admire him as all his countrymen do. I am sure, also, that we can say 
sincerely that we are not gathered together on such a festive occasion as 
this to triumph over anybody. We are gathered to triumph for principles 
established. We are glad and triumph because we have a better future 
and a real country, united as every country must be that is to stand per- 
manently — united in sympathy and sentiment, and at the bottom on com- 
mon laws and common principles. I am glad with those that are glad here. 
I cannot, however, forbear to think that there are thousands and thousands 
who have made an awful mistake, and yet were sincere and earnest men, 
over whom we should all be the last to triumph, who can have no victories, 
nothing but disaster, nothing but sorrow and mourning ; the past full of 
storm and darkness and sadness, while to us the past now grows more and 
more luminous in proportion as it was dark at the time, and the future is 
abundantly radiant. These scenes can but faintly express, I think, to our 
honored guest, what is the place he occupies in the hearts of this great people. 
His name will be lisped by our children as they come up ; it will pass into 
our schools ; it will be in our cottages and farm-houses. I am sure he is 
of such a make as to be more proud to be remembered and loved in the 
houses of the common people than in the palaces of the loftiest in the 
land. His work thus far has been most nobly done, but it is not en- 
tirely finished. He is to illustrate another American trait — he and his 
brother officers and soldiers. It was asked of me in England, " What will 
become of your army when your war is over ? What will you do with them V 
My reply was, "What do you do in March with your snow-wreaths?" 
They melt and no man has any trouble about them, and out of them come 
the very juices and herbage that is to cover the ground with spring and 
summer; and has it not been so? When the soldiers were needed, they 
came as avalanches come, and when they were no longer needed they melt- 
ed as snow in summer. 

Doctor R. Vanghan, editor of the magazine, writes in 
the last number of the British Quarterly ^Review : — 

" In Washington I had the privilege of an introduction to General 
Grant. The eminent man was in his official department, much the sort of 
room in which a London attorney might be imagined giving audience to 
his clients. The General was not in uniform, and plainly dressed. The 
portraits of him are faithful representations of his square and spacious fore- 
head, and of the settled and regular, but not strongly marked, features 
below. A military officer was in attendance upon him, who was of old 
Indian descent, a person somewhat above the ordinary height, whose com- 
plexion and features bespoke his origin, but whose civilized experiences 



GENERAL GRANT'S MILITARY ABILITY. 



571 



had given him a little more flesh than would seem to have been common 
among his ancestors. 

"This stately descendant from the sons of the old wilderness gave me a 
cordial grasp of the hand on our being introduced. The manner of the 
General was simple and quiet. I soon saw he was a man of few words, 
and had reason to think that his words were usually well chosen. After a 
few commonplaces had passed, he began to speak freely on public affairs. 
The tone of the English press concerning the military action of the North 
seemed to have impressed him unfavorably. 'If your newspapers are to 
be believed,' said the soldier, who is second to none of his time, ' we never 
went into the field but to be beaten. I have been in more engagements than 
any other man in the service, and have not been beaten yet. On the conti- 
nent of Europe, too, the disposition, it appears, has been to harp on the same 
string. Friends who have visited your country and France tell me that, 
go into what circle they might, the talk about America all went one way.' 

"In reply, I mentioned some facts which seemed to warrant a some- 
what different conclusion. These facts were frankly admitted as tending 
to show that in England there must after all have been a considerable 
breadth of sympathy with the North. 'Say what you will,' said the Gen- 
eral, 'this war has been the biggest job of its sort that has been done in 
this world ; and it will be a chapter to itself in the history of war — nothing 
like it has -gone before.' 

" When about to take my leave, I was pleased to hear the General say, 
'Well, I think I shall come to England some day; but it must not be until 
I can spare something like a twelvemonth for that part of the world.' I 
did not fail to express my conviction that if he came among us he would 
find not a few capable of appreciating what he had done, and of doing so 
generously. Of Lee, the General spoke honorably, describing him as an 
able man who had made a great mistake. This mistake, I presume, was 
in committing himself against the Northern cause — the cause, the final 
success of which the General himself had never doubted." 

The military ability of General Grant is variously esti- 
mated by even his friends. Some deny that he has genius, 
and affirm that he succeeded rather by persistence in a 
chosen line of warfare, and favoring circumstances. Others 
declare that he planned campaigns "with not less of 
originality that that displayed by Sherman, but they have 
always been executed with the deliberation and persistence 
which are such prominent characteristics of Thomas. Sher- 
man has given us several splendid illustrations of strategy 
and logistics ; as witness his marches in Mississippi, 
Georgia, and the Carolinas ; but his battles will never be 
quoted as brilliant examples of grand tactics. Thomas 
has displayed his abilities chiefly in the tactics of the bat- 



572 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tie- field, and lias given us at Mill Spring and Nashville 
two splendid illustrations of the offensive, and at Chicka- 
mauga a magnificent example of defensive battle ; but his 
marches, which are always slow and labored, are never 
likely to become famous. Grant has excelled in both these 
important branches of the art of war, and has given us 
brilliant examples of each ; and, though he has shown no 
extraordinary engineering ability in constructing defenses, 
he has done better in reducing those of the rebels. He 
uses the strategy of Sherman to reach his chosen battle- 
field, and then employs the grand tactics of Thomas to win 
the victory." 

Writes another popular biographer, u it is more difficult 
to analyze the mental than the moral character of Grant. 
Indeed, he seems to have no peculiarly striking qualities, 
so evenly balanced is his whole character. He is a man of 
great military talent, doing things not so much in a different 
way from other generals, as with different power." But 
that "power" is difference enough to stamp him an extra- 
ordinary man and general. 

When, without the approving counsel of a single sub- 
ordinate officer, he cut loose from Grand Gulf, and led his 
vast army straight into a hostile country toward impreg- 
nable Vicksburg, he displaj^ed intellect sufficiently broad 
to comprehend any military situation; and a heart so 
strong, brave, and calm, that it could bear modestly any 
pressure of official responsibility. 

Then again, his combinations, when his elevation to the 
control of the United States armies gave him the opportu- 
nity to grasp the entire work before the nation, and his wise 
selection of officers to co-operate with him, will place his 
name in the ultimate verdict of history with that of Napo- 
leon, Wellington, and Washington. 

Especially to the latter will he be compared in purity 
of patriotism and unaffected simplicity and integrity of 
moral character. He courts no demonstrations — makes no 
speeches — answers no words of detraction. 

Reverent toward God, and the friend of all mankind, he 
has won and will forever hold the highest position among the 
great and good, not only of the Republic but of the world. 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE'S REPORT. 



573 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



REPORTS OF GENERALS MEADE, SHERIDAN, SHERMAN, AND GRANT. 

General Meade's Report of the Potomac Army. — General Sheridan's account of 
his Splendid Achievements. — The Story of the Unrivaled Sherman's Great 
March. — General Grant's Pinal and Great Report of the closing Campaign of the 



General Meade's Report of the part taken by his 
troops in the closing events of the War is a condensed 
and carefully written history of the Potomac Army under 
his command : 

THE FINAL OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. 



Colonel : — I have the honor to submit herewith a succinct report of the 
operations of this Army in the recent campaign, resulting in the evacuation 
of Richmond and Petersburg, and terminating in the surrender of the 
Army of Northern Virginia. 

On the 29th ultimo, in pursuance of orders received from the Lieuten- 
ant-General commanding, the Second and Fifth Corps were moved across 
Hatcher's Run, the former by the Vaughan Road, the latter by the old stage 
road crossing at Perkins's. The Second Corps, holding the extreme left of 
the line before Petersburg prior to moving, was relieved by Major-General 
Gibbon, commanding two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps. 

Major-General Humphreys, commanding Second Corps, was directed, 
after crossing Hatcher's Run, to take position with his right resting on 
Hatcher's Run and his left extending to the Quaker road. Major-General 
Warren, commanding Fifth Corps, was directed at first to take position at 
the intersection of the Vaughan and Quaker roads, and subsequently, 
about noon of the 29th, he was ordered to move up the Quaker road 
beyond Gravelly Run. 

These orders were duly executed, and by evening Major-General Hum- 
phreys was in position, his right resting near Dabney's Mill, and his left 
near Gravelly Meeting- House on the Quaker road. In taking this position^ 
Major-General Humphreys encountered but little opposition, meeting only 
a small force in a line of rifle-pits, who were quickly driven out. Major- 



War. 



EEPORT OF MAJOR-GENEPwAL MEADE. 



Head-Qctaeteks Army of the Potomac, 
April 30, 1865. 



574 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



General Warren was delayed in his movement, by having to rebuild the 
bridge over Gravelly Run. The advance of his column, Brigadier-General 
GrifhVs division, was attacked about 4 p. m., when about a mile and a half 
beyond Gravelly Run, by Bushrod Johnson's division. A spirited engage- 
ment ensued, in which Griffin handsomely repulsed and drove the enemy, 
capturing over one hundred prisoners. 

On the 30th, Major-General Humphreys again advanced, driving the 
enemy into his main line of works, and by night Occupying a line from the 
Crow House, on Hatcher's Run, to the intersection of the Dabney's Mill 
and Boydtown plank-road. 

Major-General Warren, during this day, advanced on the Quaker road 
to its intersection with the Boydtown plank, and pushed Ayres's division in 
a northwesterly direction over to the White Oak road. No fighting of any 
consequence occurred this day, except picket skirmishing and exchange of 
artillery shots from the respective lines, now close to each other. 

During the night of the 30th, Major-General Humphreys, who had 
intrenched his line, was directed to relieve Griffin's division, Fifth Corps, 
by Miles's division, and Major-General Warren was ordered to move both 
Crawford and Griffin within supporting distance of Ayres, whose position 
on the extreme left was considered likely to invite attack. 

On the 31st, about 10 a. m\, Ayres, under General Warren's orders, 
advanced to dislodge the enemy in position on the White Oak road. Ayres's 
attack was unsuccessful, and was followed by such a vigorous attack of the 
enemy that Ayres was compelled to fall back upon Crawford, who, in turn, 
was so strongly pressed by the enemy as to force both divisions back, 
in considerable disorder, to the position occupied by Griffin, when the pur- 
suit of the enemy ceased. Immediately on ascertaining the condition of 
affairs, Major-General Humphreys was ordered to move to Warren's sup- 
port, and that officer promptly sent Miles's division to attack in flank the 
force operating against Warren. This movement was handsomely executed 
by Miles, who, attacking the enemy vigorously, drove him back to his 
former position on the White Oak road, capturing several colors and many 
prisoners. 

In the mean time Warren advanced with Griffin's division, supported by 
such portions of Ayres's and Crawford's divisions as could be rallied, and 
regaining the position held by Ayres in the morning, Griffin attacked with 
Chamberlain's brigade, driving the enemy and securing a lodgment on the 
White Oak road. 

These operations over, hearing heavy firing to the left and rear, which 
was presumed to be the cavalry moving up from Dinwiddle Court-House, 
Warren was directed to send a brigade down the White Oak road to co-op- 
erate with the cavalry. This brigade by night reached the crossing of 
Gravelly Run, by the road leading through J. Boisseau's, where, not meet- 
ing any enemy, it bivouacked. 

During the night, having been directed to send support to Major-Gene- 
ral Sheridan, at Dinwiddie Court-llouse, Major-General Warren was 
ordered to move with his whole corps, two divisions by the White Oak 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE'S REPORT. 



575 



road and one by the Boydtown plank-road. Major-General Humphreys 
was ordered to extend his left as far as practicable, consistent with its 
security. 

During the foregoing operations, the Sixth and Ninth Corps remained 
in the lines in front of Petersburg, with orders to watch the enemy closely, 
and, in the event of the lines in their front being weakened, to attack. 

On April 1st, after consultation with the Lieut. -General commanding, 
believing from the operations on his right that the enemy's lines on his left 
must be thinly held, orders'were sent to Major- Generals Wright and Parke 
to attack the next morning at 4 a. m. About 7 p. m., intelligence having 
been received of the brilliant success of the cavalry and Fifth Corps at 
Five Forks, orders were sent to Generals Parke and Wright to open their 
batteries and press the enemy's picket-line. At the same time, Milcs's 
division, Second Corps, was detached to the support of Major-General 
Sheridan, and Major-General Humphreys advised of the intended attacks 
of the Twenty -fourth, Sixth and Fifth Corps, and directed to hold his two 
remaining divisions ready to co-operate in the same, should they prove suc- 
cessful. 

On the 2d of April, Major-General Wright attacked at 4 p. m., carrying 
every thing before him, taking possession of the enemy's strong line of 
works, and capturing many guns and prisoners. After carrying the ene- 
my's lines in his front, and reaching the Boydtown plank-road, Major-Gene- 
ral Wright turned to his left and swept down the enemy's line of intrench- 
ments till near Hatcher's Run, where, meeting the head of the ^Twenty- 
fourth Corps, Gen. Wright retraced his steps and advanced on the Boydtown 
plank-road toward Petersburg, encountering the enemy in an inner line of 
works immediately around the city. Major-General Wright deployed his 
corps confronting their works in conjunction with the Twenty-fourth and 
part of the Second Corps. 

Major-General Parke's attack, at 4 a. m., was also successful, carrying the 
enemy's lines, capturing guns and prisoners; but the position of the Ninth 
Corps, confronting that position of the enemy's line the longest held and 
most strongly fortified, it was found he held a second and inner line which 
Major-General Parke was unable to carry. Receiving a dispatch during 
the morning from Major-General Parke, reporting his being pressed by the 
enemy, the troops left in City Point defenses, under Brigadier-General 
Benham and Brevet Brigadier-General Collis, were ordered up to General 
Parke's support ; their prompt arrival enabling them to render material 
assistance to General Parke in holding his lines. 

So soon as Major-General Wright's success was reported, Major-General 
Humphreys was ordered to advance with the remaining divisions of his 
corps; Hays, on the right, advanced and captured a redoubt in front of the 
Crow House, taking a gun and over one hundred prisoners. Mott, on the 
left, on advancing on the Boydtown plank-road, found the enemy's line 
evacuated. Hays and Mott pushed forward and joined the Sixth Corps 
confronting the enemy. Early in the morning, Miles, reporting his return 
to his position on the White Oak road, was ordered to advance on the Clai- 



576 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



borne road simultaneously with. Mott and Hays. Miles, perceiving the 
enemy was moving to his right, pursued and overtook him at Sutherland's 
Station, where a sharp engagement took place, Miles handling his single 
division with great skill and gallantry, capturing several guns and many 
prisoners. On receiving intelligence of Miles being engaged, Hays was 
sent to his support, but did not reach the field till the action was over. 

At 8 a. m., of the 2d of April, Major-Generals Parke and "Wright 
reported no enemy in their front, when, on advancing, it was ascertained 
Petersburg was evacuated. 

"Wilcox's division, Ninth Corps, was ordered to occupy the town, and 
the Second, Sixth and Ninth Corps immediately moved up the river, reach- 
ing that night the vicinity of Sutherland's Station. 

The next three days, the 3d, 4th and oth, the pursuit was continued 
along the river and Namozine roads, the Fifth Corps following the cavalry, 
and the Second and Sixth following the Fifth, the Ninth baring been 
detached to guard the Southside Railroad. The progress of the troops was 
greatly impeded by the bad character of the road, the presence of the sup- 
ply trains of the Fifth Corps, and cavalry, and by the frequent changes of 
position of the cavalry, to whom the right of way was given. On the 
night of the 4th, receiving a dispatch from Major-General Sheridan that 
his army was in position at Amelia Court-House, immediate orders were 
given for the resumption of the march by the troops of the Second and 
Sixth Corps, reaching Jettersville between 4 and 5 p. m., where the Fifth 
Corps was found intrenched, expecting an attack. No attack being made, 
on the morning of the 6th of April the three corps were moved in the 
direction of Amelia Court-House, with the intention of attacking the enemy 
if found there ; but soon after moving, intelligence was received that Lee 
had moved from Amelia Court-House toward Farmville. The directions of 
the corps were changed, and the Sixth Corps moved from the right to the 
left. The Second Corps was ordered to move on Deatonsville, and the 
Fifth and Sixth Corps to move in parallel direction on the right and left, 
respectively. 

The Second Corps soon came up with the enemy and commenced a 
rear-guard fight, which continued all day till evening, when the enemy was 
so crowded in attempting to cross Sailor's Creek that he had to abandon a 
large train. Guns, colors, and prisoners were taken in these successful 
operations of the Second Corps. 

The Sixth Corps, on the left of the Second, came up with the enemj 
posted on Sailor's Creek. Major-General Wright attacked with twe 
divisions, and completely routed the enemy. In this attack the cavalry, 
under Major-General Sheridan, was operating on the left of the Sixth 
Corps, while Humphreys was pressing on the right. The result of the 
combined operations was the capture of Lieutenant-General Ewell and four 
other general officers, with most of EwelTs corps. 

The next day, the 7th of April, the Fifth Corps was moved to the left 
toward Prince Edward Court-House. The Second Corps resumed the 
direct pursuit of the enemy, coming up with him at High Bridge over the 



MAJOR-GENERAL MEADE'S REPORT. 



577 



Appomattox. Here the enemy made a feeble stand with his rear-guard, 
attempting to burn the railroad and common bridge. Being driven off by 
Humphreys, he succeeded in burning three spans of the railroad bridge, 
but the common bridge was saved, which Humphreys immediately crossed 
in pursuit, the enemy abandoning eighteen guns at this point. Humphreys 
came np with the enemy at the intersection of the High Bridge and 
Earmville roads, where he was found intrenched behind rail breast-works, 
evidently making a stand to cover the withdrawal of his trains. Before 
reaching this point. Humphreys had detached Barlow's division to the left 
toward Farmville. Near Farmville, Barlow found the enemy, who was 
about evacuating the place, which operation was hastened by a successful 
attack of Barlow's. 

"When Humphreys ascertained the position of the enemy, Barlow was 
recalled, but did not reach Humphreys till evening, and after an unsuccess- 
ful assault had been made by part of Miles's division. 

The Sixth Corps moved early in the morning toward Farmville, but 
finding the road occupied, first by the cavalry and subsequently by the 
Twenty-fourth Corps, it was too late in the afternoon before it reached 
that place, where it was found the enemy had destroyed the bridge. On 
learning the position of Humphreys, orders were sent to Wright to cross 
and attack m support. By great exertions a bridge for infantry was con- 
structed, over which Wright crossed, but it was nightfall before this could 
be effected. 

The next day, April 8th, the pursuit was continued on the Lynchburg 
stage road. On the 9th, at 12 m., the head of the Second Corps, when 
within three miles of Appomattox Court-House, came up with the enemy. 
At the same time I received a letter from General Lee, asking for a suspen- 
sion of hostilities, pending negotiations for surrender. Soon after receiv- 
ing this letter, Brigadier-General Forsyth, of General Sheridan's staff, 
came through the enemy's lines and notified me that a trace had been made 
by Major-General Ord, commanding the troops on the other side of Appo- 
mattox Court-House. In consequence of this, I replied to General Lee 
that I should suspend hostilities for two hours. At the expiration of that 
time, I received the instructions of the Lieutenant- General commanding to 
continue the armistice till further orders, and about 4 p. m. I received the 
welcome intelligence of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. 

It has been impossible, in the foregoing brief outline of operations, to 
do full justice to the several corps engaged ; for this purpose, reference 
must be had to the reports of corps and division commanders, which will 
be forwarded as soon as received. At the same time I would call attention 
to the handsome repulse of the enemy by Griffin's division, Fifth Corps, on 
the 29th ultimo ; to the important part taken by the Fifth Corps in the 
battle of Five Forks ; to the gallant assault, on the 2d inst., by the Sixth 
Corps, in my judgment the decisive movement of the campaign ; to the 
successful attack of the Sixth Corps in the battle of Sailor's Creek ; to the 
gallant assault, on the 2d inst., of the Ninth Corps, and the firmness and 
tenacity with which the advantages then gained were held against all 
37 



578 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



assaults of the enemy ; to the brilliant attack of Miles's division, Second 
Corps, at Sutherland's Station ; to the energetic pursuit and attack of the 
enemy by the Second Corps, on the 6th inst., terminating in the battle 
of Sailor's Creek ; and to the prompt pursuit the next day, with Barlow's 
and Miles's attacks, as all evincing the fact that this army, officers and men, 
all nobly did their duty, and deserve the thanks of the country. Nothing 
could exceed the cheerfulness with which all submitted to fatigue and pri- 
vations to secure the coveted prize — the capture of the Army of Northern 
Virginia. 

The absence of official reports precludes my forwarding any statement 
of casualties, or lists of the captures of guns, colors, and prisoners. To 
my staff, general and personal, I am indebted, as I have ever been, for the 
most zealous and faithful discharge of their duties. 
Respectfully yours, 

Geoege G. Meade, 
Major-General IT. S. A., commanding. 
Colonel T. S. Bo wees, Assistant Adjutant-General. 



General Sheridan relates" well the achievements of the 
cavalry : — 

OPERATIONS OF THE CAVALRY. 

REPORT OF MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN. 

Cayaley Head-Qtjartees, May 16, 1865. 

Geneeal: — T have the honor to submit the following narrative of the 
operations of my command during the recent campaign in front of Peters- 
burg and Richmond, terminating with the surrender of the rebel army of 
Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia, on April 9th, 1865. 

On March 26th, my command, consisting of the First and Third Cavalry 
Divisions, under the immediate command of Brevet Major-General Wesley 
Merritt, crossed the James River by the bridge at Jones's Landing, having 
marched from Winchester, in the Shenandoah Valley, via White House, 
on the Pamunkey River. 

On March 27th this command went into camp at Hancock Station, on 
the military railroad in front of Petersburg, and on the same day the 
Second Cavalry Division, which had been serving with the Army of the 
Potomac, reported to me under the command of Major-General George 
Crook. 

The effective force of these divisions was as follows : — 

General Merritt's command, First and Third Divisions 5,700 

General Crook's command, Second Division 3,300 



Total effective force 



9,000 



M A JO R - GrE XE R AL SHEPJDAX'S REPORT. 



579 



With this force I moved out on the 29th of March, in conjunction with 
the armies operating against Richmond, and in the subsequent operations I 
was under the immediate orders of the Lieutenant-General commanding. 

I moved by the way of Reams's Station, on the Weldon "Railroad, and 
Malon's Crossing, on the Rowanty Creek, where we were obliged to con- 
struct a bridge. 

At this point our advance encountered a small picket of the rebel 
cavalry, and drove it to the left, across Stony Creek, capturing a few 
prisoners, from whom, and from my scouts, I learned that the enemy's 
cavalry was at or near Stony Creek Depot, on the Weldon Railroad, on onr 
left flank and rear. Believing that it would not attack me, and that by 
pushing on to Dinwiddie Court-House I could force it to make a wide 
detour, we continued the march, reaching the Court-House about five 
o'clock p. m., encountering only a small picket of the enemy, which was 
driven away by our advance. 

It was found necessary to order General Custer's division, which was 
marching in rear, to remain near Malon's Crossing, on the Rowanty Creek, 
to assist and protect our trains, which were greatly retarded by the almost 
impassable roads of that miry section. The First and Second Divisions 
went into camp, covering the Yaughan, Flat Foot, Boydtown plank and 
Five Forks roads, which all intersect at Dinwiddie Court-House, rendering 
this an important point, and from which I was expected to make a cavalry 
raid on the Southside Railroad, and thence join General Sherman or return 
to Petersburg, as circumstances might dictate. However, during the night 
the Lieutenant-General sent me instructions to abandon the contemplated 
raid and act in concert with the infantry under his immediate command, 
and tarn the right flank of Lee's army, if possible. 

Early on the morning of the 30th of March, I directed General Merritt 
to send the First Division. Brigadier- General Devin commanding, to gain 
possession of the Five Forks, on White Oak road, and directed General 
Crook to send General Davies's brigade of his division to the support of 
General Devin. 

Gregg's brigade, of Crook's division, was held on the Boydtown plank- 
road, and guarded the crossing of Stony Creek, forcing the enemy's cavalry 
that was moving from Stony Creek Depot to form a connection with the 
right of their army, to make a wide detour, as I had anticipated, on the 
south side of Stony Creek, and west of Chamberlain's Bed — a very fatigu- 
ing march, in the bad condition of the roads. A very heavy rain fell dur- 
ing this day, aggravating the swampy nature of the ground, and rendering 
the movements of troops almost impossible. General Merritt's reconnois- 
saitce developed the enemy in strong force on the White Oak road, in the 
vicinity of the Five Forks, and there was some heavy skirmishing through- 
out the day. Next morning, March 31st, General Merritt advanced toward 
the Five Forks with the First Division, and meeting with considerable 
opposition, General Devin's brigade, of Crook's division, was ordered to 
join him, while General Crook, advancing on the left with the two other 
brigades of his division, encountered the enemy at Chamberlain's Creek, 



580 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



at a point a little west of Dinwiddie, making demonstrations to cross. 
Smith's brigade was ordered to hold them in check, and Gregg's brigade 
to a position on his right. The advance of the First Division got posses- 
sion of the Five Forks, but in the mean time the Fifth Army Corps, which 
had advanced toward the White Oak road from the Vaughan road, was 
attacked and driven back, and, withdrawing from that point, this force of 
the enemy marched rapidly from the front of the Fifth Corps to the Five 
Forks, driving in our cavalry advance, and, moving down on roads west of 
Chamberlain's Creek, attacked General Smith's brigade, but were unable 
to force his position. Abandoning the attempt to cross in his front, this 
force of the enemy's infantry succeeded in effecting a crossing higher up 
the creek, striking General Davies's brigade, of the Second Division, 
which, after a gallant fight, jwas forced back upon the left flank of the 
First Division, thus partially isolating all this force from my main line 
covering Dinwiddie Court-House. 

Orders were at once given to General Merritt to cross this detached 
force over to the Boydtown plank -road, and march down to Dinwiddie 
Court-House and come into the line of battle. The enemy, deceived by 
this movement, followed it up rapidly, making a left wheel, and presenting 
his rear to my line of battle. When his line was nearly parallel to mine. 
General Gibbs's brigade of the First Division and General Irvine Gregg's 
brigade of the Second Division were ordered to attack at once, and Gene- 
ral Custer was directed to bring up two of his brigades rapidly, leaving 
one brigade of his division with the trains that had not yet reached Din- 
widdie Court-House. In the gallant attack made by Gibbs and Gregg, the 
enemy's wounded fell into our hands, and he was forced to face by the rear 
rank and give up his movement, which, if continued, would have taken in 
flank and rear the infantry line of the Army of the Potomac. When the 
enemy had faced to meet this attack a very obstinate and handsomely con- 
tested battle ensued, in which, with all his cavalry and two divisions of 
infantry, the enemy was unable to drive five divisions of our cavalry, dis- 
mounted, from an open plain in front of Dinwiddie Court-House. The 
brunt of their cavalry attack was borne by General Smith's brigade, which 
had so gallantly held the crossing of Chamberlain's Creek in the morning. 
His command again held the enemy in check with determined bravery, but 
the heavy force brought against his right flank finally compelled him to 
abandon his position on the creek, and fall back to the main line immedi- 
ately in front of Dinwiddie Court-House. As the enemy's infantry 
advanced to the attack, our cavalry threw up slight breastworks of rails at 
some points along our lines, and when the enemy attempted to force this 
position, they were handsomely repulsed, and gave up the attempt to gain 
possession of the Court-House. It was after dark when the firing ceased, 
and the enemy lay on their arms that night not more than one hundred 
yards in front of our lines. The commands of Generals Devin and Davies 
reached Dinwiddie Court-House without opposition by way of the Boyd- 
town plank-road, but did not participate in the final action of the day. In 
this well-contested battle, the most obstinate gallantry was displayed by my 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN'S REPORT. 



581 



entire command. The brigades commanded by General Gibbs and Colo- 
nels Stagg and Fitzhugh, in the First Division; Generals Davies, Gregg, 
and Smith, in the Second Division; Colonels Pennington and Capehart, in 
the Third Division, vied with each other in their determined efforts to 
hold in check the superior force of the enemy : and the skillful arrange- 
ment of their troops in this peculiarly difficult country entitles the brigade- 
commanders to the highest commendation. 

Generals Crook, Merritt, Custer, and Devin, by their courage and ability, 
sustained their commands, and executed the rapid movements of the day 
with promptness and without confusion. 

During the night of the 31st of March my head-quarters were at Din- 
widdie Court-IIouse, and the Lieutenant-General notified me that the Fifth 
Corps would report to me, and should reach me by midnight. This corps 
had been offered to me on the 30th instant ; but very much desiriug the 
Sixth Corps, which had been with me in the Shenandoah Valley, I asked 
for it, but, on account of the delay which would occur in moving that corps 
from its position in the lines in front of Petersburg, it could not be sent to 
me. I respectfully submit herewith my brief accounts of the operations of 
the day, the response to Avhich was the ordering of the Fifth Corps to my 
support and my command, as also the dispatch o r the Lieutenant-General 
notifying me of his action. I understood that the Fifth Corps, when 
ordered to report to me, was in position near S. Dabney's house, in the 
angle between the Boydtown road and the Five Forks road. 

Had General "Warren moved according to the expectations of the Lieu- 
tenant-General, there would appear to have been but little chance for the 
escape of the enemy's infantry in front of Dinwiddie Court-House. Ayres's 
division moved down the Boydtown plank-road during the night, and in 
the morning moved west, via R. Boisseau's house, striking the Five Forks 
road about two and a half miles north of Dinwiddie Court-House. General 
Warren, with Griffin's and Crawford's divisions, moved down the road by 
Crump's house, coming into the Five Forks road near J. Boisseau's house, 
between seven and eight o'clock on the morning of the 1st of April. 
Meantime I moved my cavalry force at daylight against the enemy's lines 
in front, which gave way rapidly, moving off by the right flank and cross- 
ing Chamberlain's Creek. This hasty movement was accelerated by the 
discovery that two divisions of the Fifth Corps were in their rear, and that 
one division was moving toward their left and rear. 

The following were the instructions sent to General Warren : — 

"Cavalry Head-Quarters, I 
Dinwiddie Court-House, April 1, 1S65— 3 a. m. » 

"To Major-General Waeeest, commanding Fifth Army Corps: — 

"I am holding in front of Dinwiddie Court-House. on the road leading to 

Five Forks, for three quarters of a mile, with General Custer's division. 

The enemy are in his immediate front, lying so as to cover the road just 

this side of A. Adams's house, which leads out across Chamberlain's Bed or 

Run. I understand you have a division at J. Boisseau's; if so, you are in 



582 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



rear of the enemy's line, and almost on his flanks. I will hold on here. 
Possibly they may attack Custer at daylight ; if so, attack instantly and in 
full force. Attack at daylight, anyhow, and I will make an effort to get 
the road this side of Adams's house, and if I do, you can capture the whole 
of them. Any force moving down the road I am holding, or on the White 
Oak road, will be in the enemy's rear, and in all probability get any force 
that may escape yon by a flank attack. Do not fear my leaving here. If 
the enemy remains, I shall fight at daylight. 

"P. H. Sheridan, Major-General." 

As they fell back, the enemy were rapidly followed by General Merritt's 
two divisions, General Devin on the right and General Custer on the left ; 
General Crook in the rear. During the remainder of the day, General 
Crook's division held the extreme left and rear, and was not seriously 
engaged. 

I then determined that I would drive the enemy, with the cavalry, to 
the Five Forks, press them inside of their works, and make a feint to turn 
their right flank, and meanwhile quietly move up the Fifth Corps with a 
view to attacking their left flank, crush the whole force, if possible, and 
drive westward those who might escape, thus isolating them from their 
army at Petersburg. Happily, this conception was successfully executed. 
About this time, General McKenzie's division of cavalry, from the Army of 
the James, reported to me, and consisted of about one thousand effective 
men. I directed General Warren to hold fast at J. Boisseau's house, refresh 
his men, and be ready to move to the front when required ; and General 
McKenzie was ordered to rest in front of Dinwiddie Court-House until 
further orders. 

Meantime General Merritt's command continued to press the enemy, 
and by impetuous charges drove them from two lines of temporary works; 
General Custer guiding his advance on the widow Gilliam's house, and 
General Devin on the main Five Forks road. The courage displayed by 
the cavalry officers and men was superb, and about two o'clock the enemy 
was behind his works on the White Oak road, and his skirmish line drawn 
in. I then ordered up the Fifth Corps on the main road, and sent Brevet- 
Major Gillespie, of the engineers, to turn the head of the column off on the 
Gravelly Church road, and put the corps in position on this road obliquely 
to and at a point but a short distance from the White Oak road, and about 
one mile from the Five Forks. Two divisions of the corps were to form the 
front line, and one division was to be held in reserve in column of regiments 
opposite the center. 

I then directed General Mermt to demonstrate as though he was at- 
tempting to tarn the enemy's right flank, and notified him that the Fifth 
Corps would strike the enemy's left flank, and ordered that the cavalry 
should assault the enemy's works, as soon as the Fifth Corps became en- 
gaged, and that would be determined by the volleys of musketry. I then 
rode over to where the Fifth Corps was going into position, and found 
them coming up very slowly. I was exceedingly anxious to attack at once, 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN'S REPORT. 583 



for the sun was getting low, and we had to fight or go back. It was no 
place to intrench, and it would have been shameful to have gone back with 
no results to compensate for the loss of the brave men who had fallen 
during the day. In this connection, I will say that General Warren did 
not exert himself to get up his corps as rapidly as he might have done, and 
his manner gave me the impressi on that he wished the sun to go down be- 
fore dispositions for the attack could be completed. As soon as the corps 
was in position, I ordered an advance in the following formation : Ayres's 
division on the left in double lines, Crawford's division on the right in double 
lines, and Griffin's division in reserve, behind Crawford ; and the White 
Oak road was reached without opposition. 

While General Warren was getting into position, I learned that the left 
of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac, on my right, had been 
swung around from the direction of its line of battle until it fronted on the 
Boydtown road, and parallel to it, which offered an opportunity to the 
enemy to march down the White Oak road and attack me in right and rear. 
General McKenzie was therefore sent up the Camp road, with directions 
to gain the White Oak road if possible, but to attack at all hazards any 
enemy found, and if successful, then march down the road and join me. 
General McKenzie executed this with courage and skill, attacking a force 
of the enemy on the White Oak road, and driving it toward Petersburg. 
He then countermarched, and joined me on the White Oak road just as the 
Eifth Corps advanced to the attack, and I directed him to swing round 
with the right of the infantry and gain possession of the Ford road at the 
crossing of Hatcher's Run. The Fifth Corps, on reaching the White Oak 
road, made a left wheel, and burst on the enemy's left flank and rear like a 
tornado, and pushed rapidly on, orders having been given that if the ene- 
my was routed there should be no halt to re-form broken lines. As stated 
before, the firing of the Fifth Corps was the signal to General Merritt to 
assault, which was promptly responded to, and the works of the enemy 
were soon carried at several points by our brave cavalrymen. The enemy 
were driven from their strong line of works and completely routed, the 
Fifth Corps doubling up their left flank in confasion, and the cavalry of 
General Merritt dashing on to the White Oak road, capturing their artillery 
and turning it upon them and riding into their broken ranks, so demoral- 
ized them, that they made no serious stand after their line was carried, but 
took to flight in disorder. Between 5,000 and 6,000 prisoners fell into our 
hands, and the fugitives were driven westward, and were pursued until 
long after dark, by Merritt's and McKenzie's cavalry, for a distance of six 
miles. 

During this attack I again became dissatisfied with General Warren. 
During the engagement, portions of his line gave way when not exposed to 
a heavy fire, and simply for want of confidence on the part of the troops, 
which General Warren did not exert himself to inspire. I therefore relieved 
him from the command of the Fifth Corps, authority for this action having 
been sent to me before the battle, unsolicited. When the pursuit was 
given up, I directed General Griffin, who had been ordered to assume com- 



584 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



mand of the Fifth Corps, to collect his troops at once, march two divisions 
back to Gravelly Church, and put them into position at right angles to 
the White Oak road, facing toward Petersburg, while Bartlett's division, 
Griffin's old, covered the Ford road to Hatcher's Run. General Merritfs 
cavalry went into camp on the widow Gilliam's plantation, and General 
McKenzie took position on the Ford road, at the crossing of Hatcher's 
Run. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the troops in this 
battle, and of the gallantry of their commanding officers, who appeared to 
realize that the success of the campaign and fate of Lee's army 
depended upon it. They merit the thanks of the country, and reward of 
the Government. To Generals Griffin, Ayres, Bartlett, and Crawford, of 
the Fifth Corps, and to Generals Merritt, Custer, Devin, and McKenzie, of 
the cavalry, great credit is due ; and to their subordinate commanders they 
will undoubtedly award the praise which is due to them for the hearty 
co-operation, bravery, and ability, which were everywhere displayed. At 
daylight on the morning of April 2d, General Miles's division of the Second 
Corps reported to me, coming over from the Boydtown plank-road. I 
ordered it to move up the White Oak road, toward Petersburg, and attack 
the enemy at the intersection of that with the Claiborne road, where he 
was in position in heavy force, and I followed General Miles immediately, 
with two divisions of the Fifth Corps. Miles forced the enemy from this 
position, and pursued with great zeal, pushing him across Hatcher's Run, 
and following him upon the road to Sutherland's Depot. On the north side 
of the Run I overtook Miles, who was anxious to attack, and had a very fine 
and spirited division. I gave him permission ; but about this time General 
Humphreys came up, and receiving notice from General Meade that Gene- 
ral Humphreys would take command of Miles's division, I relinquished it 
at once, and facing the Fifth Corps by the rear. I afterward regretted 
giving up this division, as I believe the enemy could at that time have been 
crushed at Sutherland's Depot. I returned to Five Forks, and marched 
out on the Ford road, toward Hatcher's Run. 

The cavalry had in the mean time been sent westward to cross Hatch- 
er's Run, and break up the enemy's cavalry, which had collected in con- 
siderable force north of that stream, but they would not stand to fight, and 
our cavalry pursued them in a direction due north, to the Namozine road. 
Crossing Hatcher's Run with the Fifth Corps, the Southside Railroad was 
struck at Ford's Depot, meeting no opposition, and the Fifth Corps marched 
rapidly toward Sutherland's Depot, in flank and rear of the enemy oppos- 
ing Miles. As he approached that point, the force of the enemy fled before 
the Fifth Corps could reach them, retreating along the main road by the 
Appomattox River, the cavalry and Crawford's division of the Fifth Corps 
engaging them slightly about dusk. On the morning of the 3d our cavalry 
took up the pursuit, routing the enemy's cavalry, and capturing many 
prisoners. The enemy's infantry was encountered at Deep Creek, where 
a severe fight took place. The Fifth Corps followed up the cavalry rapidly, 
picking up many prisoners, five pieces of abandoned artillery, and a 
number of wagons. The Fifth Corps, with Crook's division of cavalry, 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN'S REPORT. 



585 



encamped that night (the 4th) at Deep Creek, on the Namozine road, 
neither of these commands having heen engaged during the day. On the 
morning of the 4th, General Crook was ordered to strike the Danville 
Railroad, between Jettersville and Burk's Station, and then move up 
toward Jettersville. The Fifth Corps moved rapidly to that point, as I had 
learned from my scouts that the enemy were at Amelia Court-House, and 
everything indicated that they were collecting at that point. On arriving 
at Jettersville, about 5 o'clock p. m., I learned without doubt that Lee and 
his whole army were at Amelia Court-House. 

The Fifth Corps was at once ordered to intrench, with a view of hold- 
ing Jettersville until the main army could come up. It seems to me that 
this was the only chance the Army of Northern Virginia had to save itself, 
which might have been done had General Lee promptly attacked and 
driven back the comparatively small force opposed to him, and pursued his 
march to Burkesville Junction. A dispatch from General Lee's chief com- 
missary at Danville and Lynchburgh, requiring 200,000 rations to be sent 
to meet the army at Burkesville, was here intercepted. So soon as I found 
that the entire army of the enemy was concentrated at Amelia Court- 
House, I forwarded promptly all the information I had obtained to General 
Meade and the Lieutenant-General. On the morning of April 5th, General 
Crook was directed to send General Davies's brigade to make a recon- 
noissance to Paine's Cross-roads on our left and front, and ascertain if the 
enemy were making any movement toward that flank to escape. General 
Davies struck a train of one hundred and eighty wagons, escorted by a 
considerable force of the enemy's cavalry, which he defeated, capturing 
live pieces of artillery. He destroyed the wagons, and brought in a large 
number of prisoners. Gregg's and Smith's brigades of the Second Divi- 
sion were sent out to support Davies, and some heavy fighting ensued — the 
enemy having sent a strong force of infantry to attack and cut off Davies's 
brigade, which attempt was unsuccessful. During the afternoon, and after 
the arrival of the Second Corps at Jettersville, which General Meade 
requested me to put in position, he being ill, the enemy demonstrated 
strongly in front of Jettersville against Smith's and Gregg's divisions of 
Crook's cavalry, but no serious attack was made. Early on the morning 
of April 6th, General Crook was ordered to move to the left to Deatonsville 
followed by Custer's and Devin's divisions of General Merritt's command. 
The Fifth Corps had been returned to the command of General Meade, at 
his request. I afterward regretted giving up the corps. 

When near Deatonsville, the enemy's trains were discovered moving in 
the direction of Burkesville or Farmville, escorted by heavy masses of 
infantry and cavalry, and it soon became evident that the whole of Lee's 
army was attempting to make its escape. Crook was at once ordered to 
attack the trains, and, if the enemy was too strong, one of the divisions 
would pass him while he held fast and pressed the enemy, and attack a 
point further on, and this division was ordered to do the same, and so on, 
alternating, and this system of attack would enable us finally to strike 
some weak point. This result was obtained just south of Sailor's Creek, 



586 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and on the high ground over that stream. Custer took the road, and, 
Crook and Devin coming up to his support, sixteen pieces of artillery were 
captured, and about four hundred wagons destroyed, and many prisoners 
were taken, and three divisions of the enemy's infantry were cut off from 
the line of retreat. Meantime Colonel Stagg, commanding the Michigan 
Brigade of the First Division, was held at a point about two and a half 
miles south of Deatonsville, and with this force a section of Miller's bat- 
tery, which shelled the trains with excellent effect, while Colonel Stagg 
demonstrated to attack them, thus keeping a large force of the enemy 
from moving against the rest of the cavalry, and holding them until the 
arrival of the Sixth Corps, which was marching to report to me. I felt 
so strongly the necessity of holding this large force of the enemy, that I 
gave permission to General Merritt to order Colonel Stagg's brigade to 
make a mounted charge against their lines, which was most gallantly done, 
the men leaving many of their horses dead almost up to the enemy's 
works. 

On the arrival of the head of the Sixth Corps, the enemy commenced 
withdrawing, Major-General Wright was ordered to put Seymour's division 
into position at once and advance and carry the road, which was done at a 
point about two miles or two miles and a half from Deatonsville. As soon 
as the road was in our possession, Wright was directed to push General 
Seymour on, the enemy falling back, skirmishing briskly. Their resistance 
growing stubborn, a halt was called to get up Wheaton's division of the 
Sixth Corps, which went into position on the left of the road, Seymour 
being on the right. Wheaton was ordered to guide right, with his right 
connecting with Seymour's left, and resting on the road. I still felt the 
great importance of pushing the enemy, and was unwilling to wait for the 
First Division of the Sixth Corps to get up. I therefore ordered an 
advance, sending word to General Humphreys, who was on the road to 
our right, and requesting him to push on, as I felt confident we could 
break up the enemy. It was apparent, from the absence of artillery fire, 
and the manner in which they gave way when pressed, that the force of 
the enemy opposed to us was a heavy rear-guard. The enemy was driven 
until our lines reached Sailor's Creek, and from the north bank I could see 
our cavalry on the high ground above the creek and south of it, and the 
long line of smoke from the burning wagons. A cavalryman, who in a 
charge cleared the enemy's works and came through their lines, reported 
to me what was in their front. I regret that I have forgotten the name of 
this gallant young soldier. As soon as General Wright could get his artil- 
lery into position, I ordered the attack to be made on the left, and sent 
Colonel Stagg's brigade of cavalry to strike and flank the extreme right of 
the enemy's line. The attack by the infantry was not executed exactly as 
I had directed, and a portion of our line in the open gronnd was broken by 
the terrible fire of the enemy, who were in position on commanding 
ground south of the creek. 

This attack by Wheaton's and Seymour's divisions was splendid, but no 
more than I had reason to expect from the gallant Sixth Corps. The cav- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERIDAN'S REPORT. 587 



airy in rear of the enemy attacked simultaneously, and the enemy, after a 
gallant resistance, were completely surrounded, and nearly all threw down 
their arms and surrendered. General Ewell, commanding the enemy's 
forces, and a number of other general officers, fell into our hands, and a 
very large number of prisoners. I have never ascertained exactly how 
many prisoners were taken in this battle. Most of them fell into the 
hands of the cavalry, but they are no more entitled to claim them than the 
Sixth Corps, to which command equal credit is due for the good results of 
this engagement. Both the cavalry and the Sixth Corps encamped south 
of Sailor's Creek that night, having followed up the small remnant of the 
enemy's forces for several miles. In reference to the participation of the 
Sixth Corps in this action, I desire to add that the Lieutenant-General had 
notified me that this corps would report to me. Major McClellan and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Franklin, of General Wright's staff, had successively 
been sent forward to report the progress of the corps in coming up, and 
on the arrival of Major-General Wright he reported his corps to me, and 
from that time until after the battle received my orders and obeyed them ; 
but after the engagement was over, and General Meade had communicated 
with General Wright, the latter declined to make his report to me until 
ordered to do so by the Lieutenant-General. 

On the 7th instant, the pursuit was continued early in the morning by 
. the cavalry, General Crook in the advance. It was discovered that the 
enemy had not been cut off by the Army of the James, and under the 
belief that he would attempt to escape on the Danville road, through 
Prince Edward Court-House, General Merritt was ordered to move his two 
divisions to that point, passing around the left of the Army of the James. 
General Crook continued the direct pursuit, encountering the main body 
of the enemy at Farmville, and again on the north side of the Appomat- 
tox, when the enemy's trains were attacked by General Gregg, and a sharp 
fight with the enemy's infantry ensued, in which General Gregg was unfor- 
tunately captured. 

On arriving at Prince Edward Court-House, I found General McKenzie, 
with his division of cavalry from the Army of the James, and ordered him 
to cross the bridge on the Buffalo River, and make a reconnoissance to 
Prospect Station, on the Lynchburgh Railroad, and ascertain if the enemy 
were moving past that point. Meantime I heard from General Crook that 
the enemy had crossed to the north side of the Appomattox, and General 
Merritt was then moved on and encamped at Buffalo Creek, and General 
Crook was ordered to recross the Appomattox and encamp at Prospect 
Station. 

On the morning of the 8th Merritt and McKenzie continued the 
march to Prospect Station, and Merritt's and Crook's commands then 
moving on to Appomattox Depot, a point on the Lynchburgh Railroad, five 
miles south of Appomattox Court-House. Shortly after the march con>- 
inenced, Sergeant White, one of my scouts, notified me that there were 
four trains of cars at Appomattox Depot, loaded with supplies for General 
Lee's army. Generals Merritt and Crook were at once notified, and the 



588 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



command pushed on briskly for twenty-eight miles. General Custer had 
the advance, and, on nearing the depot, skillfully threw a force in rear of 
the trains and captured? them. Without halting a moment he pushed on, 
driving the enemy (who had reached the depot about the same time as our 
cavalry) in the direction of Appomattox Court-House, capturing many 
prisoners and twenty-five pieces of artillery, a hospital train, and a large 
park of wagons. General Devin coming up, went in on the right of Cus- 
ter. The fighting continued till after dark, and the enemy being driven to 
Appomattox Court-House, I at once notified the Lieutenant-General, and 
sent word to Generals Ord and Gibbon, of the Army of the James, and 
General Griffin, commanding the Fifth Corps, who were in the rear, that, 
if they pressed on, there was now no means of escape for the enemy, 
who had reached " the last ditch. 11 During the night, although we knew 
that the remnant of Lee 5 s army was in our front, we held fast with the 
cavalry to what we had gained, and ran the captured trains back along 
the railroad to a point where they would be protected by our infantry 
that was coming up. The Twenty-fourth and Fifth Corps, and one division 
of the Twenty-fifth Corps, arrived about daylight on the 9th at Appomattox 
Depot. 

After consulting with General Ord, who was in command of these 
corps, I rode to the front, near Appomattox Court-House, and just as the 
enemy in heavy force was attacking the cavalry with the intention of 
breaking through our lines, I directed the cavalry, which was dismounted, 
to fall back, gradually resisting the enemy, so as to give time for the 
infantry to form its lines and march to the attack, and, when this was done, 
to move off to the right flank and mount. This was done, and the enemy 
discontinued his attack as soon as he caught sight of our infantry. I 
moved briskly around the left of the enemy's line of battle, which was 
falling back rapidly (heavily pressed by the advance of the infantry), and 
was about to charge the trains and the confused masses of the enemy 
when a white flag was presented to General Custer, who had the advance, 
and who sent the information to me at once that the enemy desired to sur- 
render. 

Riding over to the left at Appomattox Court-House, I met Major-Gen- 
eral Gordon, of the rebel service, and Major-General Wilcox. General 
Gordon requested a suspension of hostilities, pending negotiations for a 
surrender, then being held between Lieutenant-General Grant and General 
Lee. I notified him that I desired to prevent the unnecessary effusion of 
blood, but as there was nothing definitely settled in the correspondence, 
and as an attack had been made on my lines with the view to escape, under 
the impression our force was only cavalry, I must have some assurance of 
an intended surrender. This General Gordon gave by saying that there 
was no doubt of the surrender of General Lee's army. I then separated 
from him, with an agreement to meet these officers again, in half an hour, 
at Appomattox Court-House. At the specified time, in company with 
General Ord, who commanded the infantry, I again met this officer, and 
also Lieutenant-General Longstreot, and received from them the same 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 589 

assurance, and hostilities ceased until the arrival of Lieutenant-General 
Grant. 

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

P. II. Sheeidan, Major-General. 
Brevet Major-General Johjt A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff. 



We add General Sherman's own story of his great 
march through Georgia and the Carolinas. 

FROM CHATTANOOGA TO ATLANTA. 

Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, ) 
Atlanta, Ga., September 15, 1S64. ) 

GKKT2EAL : — I have heretofore, from day to day, by telegraph, kept the 
"War Department and the General-in-Chief advised of the progress of 
events; hut now it becomes necessary to review the whole campaign which 
has resulted in the capture and occupation of the city of Atlanta. 

On the 14-th day of March, 1864, at Memphis, Tennessee, I received notice 
from General Grant, at Nashville, that he had been commissioned Lieuten- 
ant-General, and Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United States, 
which would compel him to go east, and that I had been appointed to suc- 
ceed him as commander of the Division of the Mississippi. He summoned 
me to Nashville for a conference, and I took my departure the same day, 
and reached Nashville, via Cairo, on the 17th, and accompanied him on 
his journey eastward as far as Cincinnati. We had a full and complete 
understanding of the policy and plans for the ensuing campaign, covering 
a vast area of country, my part of which extended from Chattanooga to 
Vicksburg. I returned to Nashville, and on the 25th began a tour of 
inspection, visiting Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, and Larkin's Ferry, 
Alabama ; Chattanooga, Loudon, and Knoxville, Tennessee. During this 
visit I had interviews with Major-General McPherson, commanding the 
Army of the Tennessee, at Huntsville ; Major-General Thomas, commanding 
the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga; and Major-General Scho- 
field, commanding the Army of the Ohio, at Knoxville. We arranged in 
general terms the lines of communication to be guarded, the strength of 
the several columns and garrisons, and fixed the 1st day of May as the 
time when all things should be ready. Leaving these officers to complete 
the details of organization and preparation, I returned to Nashville on the 
2d of April, and gave my personal attention to the question of supplies. 
I found the depots at Nashville abundantly supplied, and the railroads in 
very fair order, and that steps had already been taken to supply cars and 
locomotives to fill the new and increased demands of the service ; but 
the impoverished condition of the inhabitants of East Tennessee, more 
especially in the region round about Chattanooga, had forced the com- 
manding officers of posts to issue food to the people. I was compelled to 
stop this, for a simple calculation showed that a single railroad could not 



590 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



feed the armies and the people too, and of course the army had the prefer- 
ence ; but I endeavored to point the people to new channels of supply. 
At first my orders operated very hardly, but the prolific soil soon afforded 
early vegetation, and ox-wagons hauled meat and bread from Kentucky, so 
that no actual suffering resulted ; and I trust that those who clamored at 
the cruelty and hardships of the day have already seen in the result a per- 
fect justification of my course. At once the storehouses at Chattanooga 
began to fill, so that by the 1st of May a very respectable quantity of 
food and forage had been accumulated there, and from that day to this 
stores have been brought forward in wonderful abundance, with a surplus 
that has enabled me to feed the army well during the whole period of 
time, although the enemy has succeeded more than once in breaking our 
road for many miles at different points. 

During the month of April I received from Lieutenant-General Grant a 
map, with a letter of instructions, which is now at Nashville, but a copy 
will be procured, and made part of this report. Subsequently I received 
from him notice that he would move from his camps about Culpepper, 
Virginia, on the 5th of May, and he wanted me to do the same from 
Chattanooga. My troops were still dispersed, and the cavalry, so necessary 
to our success, was yet collecting horses at Nicholasville, Kentucky, and 
Columbus, Tennessee. On the 27th of April I put all the troops in motion 
toward Chattanooga, and on the next day went there in person. My aim 
and purpose was to make the Army of the Cumberland fifty thousand men, 
that of the Tennessee thirty-five thousand, and that of the Ohio fifteen 
thousand. These figures were approximated, but never reached, the Army 
of the Tennessee failing to receive certain divisions that were still kept on 
the Mississippi, resulting from the unfavorable issue of the Red River 
expedition. But on the 1st of May the effective strength of the several 
armies for offensive purposes was about as follows: 

ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND — MAJOR-GENERAL THOMAS 



COMMANDING. 

Infantry 54,568 

Artillery 2,377 

Cavalry 3,828 



Total 60,773 

Guns 130 

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE — MAJOR-GENERAL MoPHERSON 
COMMANDING. 

Infantry 22,437 

Artillery 1,404 

Cavalry 624 



Total 24,465 

Guns 96 



MAJOR GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 591 

ARMY OF THE OHIO — MAJOR-GENERAL SCHOFIELD COM- 
MANDING. 

Infantry 11,183 

Artillery 679 

Cavalry 1,697 

Total 13,559 

Guns 28 

Grand aggregate number of troops 98,797 

Guns 254 



About these figures have been maintained during the campaign, the 
number of men joining from furlough and hospitals about compensating 
for the loss in battle, and from sickness. These armies were grouped on 
the morning of May 6th as follows: — That of the Cumberland at and near 
Ringgold ; that of the Tennessee at Gordon's Mill, on the Chickamauga ; 
and that of the Ohio near Red Clay, on the Georgia line, north of Dalton. 

The enemy lay in and about Dalton, superior to me in cavalry 
(Wheeler's), and with three corps of infantry and artillery, viz. : Hardee's, 
Hood's, and Polk's, the whole commanded by General Joseph Johnston, of 
the Confederate army. I estimated the cavalry under Wheeler at about 
ten thousand, and the infantry and artillery at about forty-five thousand or 
fifty thousand men. 

To strike Dalton in front was impracticable, as it was covered by an 
inaccessible ridge known as the Rocky Face, through which was a pass 
between Tunnel Hill and Dalton, known as the Buzzard Roost, through 
which lay the railroad and wagon-road. It was narrow, well obstructed 
by abatis, and flooded by water caused by dams across Mill Creek. Bat- 
teries also commanded it in its whole length, from the spurs on either side, 
and more especially from a ridge at the further end, like a traverse, directly 
across its debouche. It was therefore necessary to turn it. On its north 
front the enemy had a strong line of works behind Mill Creek, so that my 
attention was at once directed to the south. In that direction I found 
Snake Creek Gap, affording me a practicable way to reach Resaca, a point 
on the enemy's railroad line of communication, eighteen (18) miles below 
Dalton. Accordingly I ordered General McPherson to move rapidly from 
his position at Gordon's Mill, via Ship's Gap, Villanow, and Snake Creek 
Gap, directly on Resaca, or the railroad at any point below Dalton, and to 
make a bold attack. After breaking the railroad well, he was ordered to 
fall back to a strong defensive position near Snake Creek, and stand ready 
to fall upon the enemy's flank when he retreated, as I judged he would. 
During the movement, General Thomas was to make a strong feint of 
attack in front, while General Schofield pressed down from the north. 

General Thomas moved from Ringgold on the 7th, occupying Tunnel 
Hill facing the Buzzard Roost Gap, meeting with little opposition, and 
pushing the enemy's cavalry well through the Gap; General McPherson 



592 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



reached Snake Creek Gap on the 8th, completely surprising a brigade of 
cavalry, which was coming to watch and hold it ; and on the 9th General 
Schofield pushed down close on Dalton from the north, whilst General 
Thomas renewed his demonstration against Buzzard Roost and Rocky 
Faced Ridge, pushing it almost to a battle. One division, General New- 
ton's of the Fourth Corps, General Howard's, carried the Ridge, and, turn- 
ing south towards Dalton, found the crest too narrow, and too well pro- 
tected by rock epaulments, to enable him to reach the gorge or pass. 
Another division, General Geary's, of the Twentieth Corps, General 
Hooker's, also made a bold push for the summit, to the south of the pass, 
but the narrow road as it approached the summit was too strongly held by 
the enemy to be carried. This, however, was only designed as a demon- 
stration, and worked well, for General McPherson was thereby enabled to 
march within a mile of Resaca almost unopposed. He found Resaca too 
strong to be carried by assault, and although there were many good roads 
leading from north to south, endangering his left flank from the direction 
of Dalton, he could find no road by which he could rapidly cross over to 
the railroad, and accordingly he fell back and took strong position near 
the west end of Snake Creek Gap. I was somewhat disappointed at the 
result, still appreciated the advantage gained, and on the 10th ordered 
General Thomas to send General Hooker's corps to Snake Creek Gap in 
support of General McPherson, and to follow with another corps, the 
Fourteenth, General Palmer's, leaving General Howard with the Fourth 
Corps to continue to threaten Dalton in front, whilst the rest of the army 
moved rapidly through Snake Creek Gap. On the same day General 
Schofield was ordered to follow by the same route, and on the 11th the 
whole army, excepting General Howard's corps, and some cavalry left to 
watch Dalton, was in motion on the west side of Rocky Faced Ridge for 
Snake Creek Gap and Resaca. 

The next day, we moved against Resaca, General McPherson on the 
direct road, preceded by General Kilpatrick's cavalry ; General Thomas to 
come up on his left, and General Schofield on his. General Kilpatrick met 
and drove the enemy's cavalry from a cross-road within two miles of Re- 
saca, but received a wound which disabled him and gave the command of 
his brigade to Colonel Murray, who, according to his orders, wheeled out 
of the road, leaving General McPherson to pass. General McPherson struck 
the enemy's infantry pickets near Resaca, and drove them within their for- 
tified lines and occupied a ridge of " bald " hills, his right on the Oostanaula, 
about two miles below the railroad bridge, and his left abreast the town. 
General Thomas came up on his left, facing Camp Creek, and General Scho- 
field broke his way through the dense forest to General Thomas's left. 
Johnston had left Dalton, and General Howard entered it and pressed his 
rear. Nothing saved Johnston's army at Resaca but the impracticable na- 
ture of the country, which made the passage of troops across the Valley 
almost impossible. This fact enabled his army to reach Resaca from Dal- 
ton, along the comparatively good roads constructed beforehand, partly 
from the topographical nature of the country, and partly from the foresight 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



593 



of the rebel chief. At all events, on 14th of May we found the rebel army 
in a strong position behind Camp Creek, occupying the forts at Resaca, and 
his right on some high chestnut hills to the north of the town. I at once 
ordered a pontoon bridge to be laid across the Oostanaula, at Lay's Ferry, 
in the direction of Calhoun ; a division of the Sixteenth Corps, commanded 
by General Sweeney, to cross and threaten Calhoun ; also, the cavalry di- 
vision of General Garrard to move from its position at Villanow down 
toward Rome, to cross the Oostanaula and break the railroad below Cal- 
houn and above Kingston, if possible; and with the main army I pressed 
against Resaca at all points. General McPherson got across Camp Creek 
near its mouth, and made a lodgment close up to the enemy's works, on 
hills that commanded, with short-range artillery, the railroad and trestle 
bridges; and General Thomas, pressing close along Camp Creek Valley, 
threw General Hooker's corps across the head of the creek to the main 
Dalton road, and down to it close on Resaca. 

General Schofield came up close on his left, and a heavy battle ensued 
during the afternoon and evening of the 15th, during which General Hooker 
drove the enemy from several strong hills, captured a four-gun battery and 
many prisoners. That night, Johnston escaped, retreating south across the 
Oostanaula, and the next morning we entered the town in time to save the 
road bridge, but the railroad bridge was burned. 

The whole army started in pursuit, General Thomas directly on his 
heels. General McPherson by Lay's Ferry, and General Schofield by obscure 
roads to the left. We found in Resaca another four-gun battery and a good 
lot of stores. 

General McPherson, during the 16th, got across at Lay's Ferry. Gene- 
ral Thomas had to make some additional bridges at Resaca, but General 
Schofield had more trouble, and made a wide circuit to the left by Fue's 
and Field's Ferries across the Connasauga and Coosawattee Rivers, which 
form the Oostanaula. On the 17th, all the armies moved south by as many 
different roads as we could find, and General Thomas had sent, by my or- 
ders, a division, General Jeff. 0. Davis, along the west bank of Oostanaula, 
to Rome. Near Adairsville, we again found signs of the rebel army, and of 
a purpose to fight, and, about sunset of that day, General Newton's division, 
in the advance, had a pretty sharp encounter with his rear-guard ; but the 
next morning he was gone, and we pushed on through Kingston to a point 
four miles beyond, where we found him again in force, on ground compara- 
tively open, and well adapted to a grand battle. We made the proper dis- 
positions — General Schofield approaching Cassville from the north, to which 
point General Thomas had also directed General Hooker's corps; and I had 
drawn General McPherson's army from Woodland to Kingston, to be in 
close support. 

On the 19th, the enemy was in force about Cassville, with strong forts, 
but, as our troops converged on him, again he retreated in the night-time 
across the Etowah River, burning the road and railroad bridges near Car- 
tersville, but leaving us in complete possession of the most valuable country 
above the Etowah River. 
38 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 

Holding General Thomas's army about Cassville, General McPherson's 
about Kingston, and General Schofield's at Cassville depot and toward the 
Etowah bridge, I gave the army a few days' rest, and also time to bring for- 
ward supplies for the next stage of the campaign. In the mean time, Gene- 
ral Jeff. C. Davis had got possession of Rome, with its forts, some eight or 
ten guns of heavy caliber, and its valuable mills and foundries. We also 
secured possession of two good bridges across the Etowah River, near 
Kingston, giving us the means of crossing toward the south. Satisfied that 
the enemy could and would hold us in check at the Allatoona Pass, I re- 
solved, without even attempting it in front, to turn it by a circuit to the 
right, and having supplied our wagons for twenty days' absence from our 
railroad, I left a garrison at Rome and Kingston, and, on the 23d, put the 
army in motion for "Dallas." 

General McPherson crossed the Etowah at the mouth of Conasene Creek, 
near Kingston, and moved for his position to the south of Dallas, via Van 
Wert. General Davis's division moved directly from Rome for Dallas by 
Van Wert. General Thomas took the road via Euhaiiee and Burnt Hickory, 
while General Schofield moved by other roads more to the east, aiming to 
come up on General Thomas's left. 

General Thomas's head of column skirmished with the enemy's cavalry 
about Burnt Hickory, and captured a courier with a letter of General John- 
ston's, showing that he had detected the move, and was preparing to meet us 
about Dallas. The country was very rugged, mountainous, and densely 
wooded, with few and obscure roads. 

On the 25th of May, General Thomas was moving from Burnt Hickory 
for Dallas, his troops on three roads, General Hooker having the advance. 
When he approached the Pumpkin Vine Creek, on the main Dallas road, he 
found a respectable force of the enemy's cavalry at a bridge to his left. He 
rapidly pushed them across the creek, saving the bridge, though on fire, and 
followed out eastward about two miles, where lie first encountered infantry, 
whose pickets he drove some distance, until he encountered the enemy's 
line of battle, and his leading division. General Geary's, had a severe en- 
counter. General Hooker's other two divisions were on other roads, and 
he ordered them in, although the road he was then following, by reason of 
the presence of the enemy, led him north of Dallas about four miles. 

It was near four o'clock, p. m., before General Hooker got his whole 
corps well in hand, when he deployed two divisions, and, by my order, made 
a bold push to secure possession of a point known as the " New Hope " 
Church, where three roads meet — from Ackworth, Marietta, and Dallas. 
Here a hard battle was fought, and the enemy was driven back to New Hope 
Church ; but, having hastily thrown up some parapets, and a stormy, dark 
night having set in, General Hooker was unable to drive the enemy from 
those roads. By the next morning, we found the enemy well intrenched, 
substantially in front of the road leading from Dallas to Marietta. We were, 
consequently, compelled to make dispositions on a larger scale. General 
McPherson was moved up to Dallas, General Thomas was deployed against 
New Hope Church, and General Schofield was directed toward our left, so 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



595 



as to strike arid torn the enemy's right. General Garrard's cavalry operated 
with General McPherson, and General Stoneman with General SohofieldL 
General McCook looked to our rear. 

Owing to the difficult nature of the ground and dense forests, it took us 
several days to deploy close to the enemy, when I resolved gradually to 
work toward our left, and, when all things were ready, to push for the 
railroad east of Allatoona. In making our development before the enemy 
about New Hope, many severe, sharp encounters occurred between parts of 
the army, details of which will be given at length in the reports of subor^ 
dinate commanders. On the 28th, General McPherson was on the point of 
closing to his left on General Thomas, in front of New Hope Church, to 
enable me with the rest of the army to extend still more to the left and to 
envelop the enemy's right, when suddenly the enemy made a bold and dar- 
ing assault on him at Dallas. 

Fortunately our men had erected good breastworks, and gave the enemy 
a terrible and bloody repulse. After a few days' delay, for effect, I renewed 
my orders to General McPherson to move to his left about five miles, and 
occupy General Thomas's position in front of New Hope Church, and Gene- 
rals Thomas and Schofield were ordered to move a corresponding distance 
to their left. This move was effected with ease and safety on the 1st of 
June, and, by pushing our left well around, we occupied all the roads lead- 
ing back to Allatoona and Ackworth ; after which, I pushed General Stone- 
man's cavalry rapidly into Allatoona, at the east end of the Pass, and Gene- 
ral Garrard's cavalry around by the rear to the west end of the Pass. Both 
of these commands reached the points designated without trouble, and we 
thereby accomplished our real purpose of turning the Allatoona Pass. 

Ordering the railroad bridge across the Etowah to be at once rebuilt, I 
continued working by the left, and on the 4th of June had resolved to leave 
Johnston in his intrenched position at New Hope Church, and move to the 
railroad about Ackworth, when he abandoned his intrenchments, after 
which we moved readily to Ackworth, and reached the railroad on the 6th 
of June. I at once examined in person the Allatoona Pass and found it 
admirably adapted to oar use as a secondary base, and gave the necessary 
orders for its defense and garrison, and, as soon as the railroad bridge was 
finished across the Etowah, our stores came forward to our camps by rail. 

xit Ackworth, General Blair overtook us on the 8th of June with two 
divisions of the Seventeenth Corps that had been on furlough, and one 
brigade of cavalry, Colonel Long's, of General Garrard's division, which had 
been awaiting horses at Columbia. This accession of force about com- 
pensated for our losses in battle and the detachment left at Resaca, Rome, 
Kingston, and Allatoona. 

On the 9th of June, our communications in the rear being secure and 
supplies ample, we moved forward to Big Shanty. 

Kenesaw, the bold and striking Twin Mountain, lay before us, with a 
high range of chestnut hills trending off" to the northeast, terminating to 
our view in another peak called Brushy Mountain. To our right was the 
smaller hill called Pine Mountain, and beyond it in the distance Lost Moun- 



596 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tain. All these, though links in a continuous chain, present a sharp coni- 
cal appearance, prominent in the vast landscape that presents itself from 
any of the hills that abound in that region. Kenesaw, Pine Mountain, and 
Lost Mountain form a triangle, Pine Mountain the apex, and Kenesaw 
and Lost Mountain the base, covering perfectly the town of Marietta and 
the railroad back to the Chattaboochie. On each of these peaks the enemy 
had his signal-stations. The summits were covered with batteries, and the 
spurs were alive with men, busy in felling tress, digging pits, and preparing 
for the grand struggle impending. 

The scene was enchanting — too beautiful to be disturbed by the harsh 
clamors of war ; but the Chattahoochie lay beyond, and I had to reach it. 
On approaching close to the enemy, I found him occupying a line full two 
miles long, more than he could hold with his force. General McPherson 
was ordered to move toward Marietta, his right on the railroad, General 
Thomas on Kenesaw and Pine Mountain, and General Schofield off toward 
Lost Mountain ; General Garrard's cavalry on the left, General Stoneman's 
on the right, and General McCook looking to our rear and communications* 
Our depot was at Big Shanty. 

By the 11th of June our lines were close up, and we made dispositions 
to break the line between Kenesaw and Pine Mountains. General Hooker 
was on its right and front, General Howard on its left and front, and 
General Palmer between it and the railroad. During a sharp cannon- 
ading from General Howard's right or General Hooker's left, General 
Polk was killed on the 14th, and on the morning of the 15th Pine Moun- 
tain was found abandoned by the enemy. Generals Thomas and Scho- 
field advanced, and found him again strongly intrenched along the line of 
rugged hills connecting Kenesaw and Lost Mountains. At the same time 
General McPherson advanced his line, gaining substantial advantage on the 
left. Pushing our operations on the center as vigorously as the nature of 
the ground would permit, I had again ordered an assault on the center, 
when, on the 17th, the enemy abandoned Lost Mountain and the long line 
of admirable breastworks connecting it with Kenesaw. We continued to 
press at all points, skirmishing in dense forests of timber and across most 
difficult ravines, until we found him again strongly posted and intrenched, 
with Kenesaw as his salient, his right wing thrown back to cover Marietta, 
and his left behind Nose's Creek, covering his railroad back to the Chatta- 
hoochie. This enabled him to contract his lines and strengthen them ac- 
cordingly. 

From Kenesaw he could look down upon our camps and observe every 
movement, and his batteries thundered away, but did us little harm, on 
account of the extreme hight, the shot and shell passing harmlessly over 
our heads as we lay close up against his mountain town. 

During our operations about Kenesaw the weather was villainously bad, 
and the rain fell almost continuously for three weeks, rendering our narrow 
wooded roads mere mud gulleys, so that a general movement would have 
been impossible ; but our men daily worked closer and closer to the in- 
trenched foe, and kept up an incessant picket firing, galling to him. Every 



MAJOR- GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



597 



opportunity was taken to advance our general lines closer and closer to the 
enemy. 

General McPherson watching the enemy on Kenesaw and working his 
left forward, General Thomas swinging as it were on a grand left wheel, his 
left on Kenesaw connecting with General McPherson, and General Scho- 
field all the time working to the south and east along the old Sandtown 
road. On the 22d General Hooker had advanced his line, with General 
Schofield on his right, the enemy, Hood's corps, with detachments from the 
others, suddenly sallied and attacked. The blow fell mostly on General 
Williams's division of General Hooker's corps, and a brigade of General 
Hascali's division of General Schofield's army. 

The ground was comparatively open, and although the enemy drove in 
the skirmish lines — an advanced regiment of General Schofield, sent out 
purposely to hold him in check until some preparations could be completed 
for his reception — yet when he reached our line of battle he received a ter- 
rible repulse, leaving his dead, wounded, and many prisoners in our hands. 
This is known as the affair of the "Kulp House." Although inviting the 
enemy at all times to commit such mistakes, I could not hope for him to 
repeat them after the examples of Dallas and the ^Kulp House," and upon 
studying the ground I had no alternative in my turn but to assault his lines 
or turn his position. Either course had its difficulties and dangers. And 
I perceived that the enemy and our own officers had settled down into a 
conviction that I would not assault fortified lines. 

All looked to me to " outflank." An army to be efficient must not set- 
tie down to one single mode of offense, but must be prepared to execute 
any plan which promises success. I waited, therefore, for the moral 
effect, to make a successful assault against the enemy behind his breast- 
works, and resolved to attempt it at that point where success would give 
the largest fruits of victory. The general point selected was the left 
center ■ because, if I could thrust a strong head of column through at that 
point by pushing it boldly and rapidly two and one-half miles, it would 
reach the railroad below Marietta, cut off the enemy's right and center 
from its line of retreat, and then, by turning on either part, it could be 
overwhelmed and destroyed. Therefore, on the 24th of June, I ordered 
that an assault should be made at two points south of Kenesaw on the 
27th, giving three days' notice for preparation and reconnoissance ; one to 
be made near Little Kenesaw by General McPherson's troops, and the other 
about a mile further south by General Thomas's troops. The hour was 
fixed, and all the details given in Field Orders, ISTo. 28. of June 24. On 
the 27th of June the two assaults were made at the time and in the manner 
prescribed, and both failed, costing us many valuable lives, among them those 
of Generals Harker and McCook; Colonel Rice and others badly wounded. 
Our aggregate loss was near, three thousand, while we inflicted compa- 
ratively little loss on the enemy, who lay behind his well-formed breast- 
works. Failure as it was, and for which I assume the entire responsibility, 
I yet claim it produced good fruits, as it demonstrated to General Johns- 
ton that I would assault, and that boldly, and we also gained and held 



598 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



ground so close to the enemy's parapets that he could not show a head 
above them. 

It would not do to rest long under the influence of a mistake or failure,, 
and accordingly General Schofield was working strong on the enemy's 
left; and on the 1st of July I ordered General HcPherson to be relieved by 
General Garrard's cavalry in front of Kenesaw, and to rapidly throw his 
whole army by the right down to and threaten Nickajack Creek and Tur- 
ner's Ferry across the Chattahoochie, and I also pushed Stoneman's cavalry 
to the river below Turner's. 

General McPherson commenced his movement the night of July 2d, 
and the effect was instantaneous. The next morning Kenesaw was aban- 
doned, and with the first dawn of day I saw our skirmishers appear on the 
mountain-top. General Thomas's whole line was then moved forward to 
the railroad and turned south in pursuit toward the Chattahoochie. In 
person I entered Marietta at half-past eight in the morning, just as the 
enemy's cavalry vacated the place. General Logan's corps of General 
McPherson's army, which had not moved far, was ordered back into 
Marietta by the main road, and General McPherson and General Schofield 
were instructed to cross Nickajack and attack the enemy in flank and rear, 
and, if possible, to catch him in the confusion of crossing the Chatta- 
hoochie ; but Johnston had foreseen and provided against all this, and had 
covered his movement well. He had intrenched a strong tete-du-pont at 
the Chattahoochie, with an advanced intrenched line across the road at 
Smyrna camp-meeting ground, five miles from Marietta. 

Here General Thomas found him, his front covered by a good parapet, 
and his flanks behind the Nickajack and Eottenwood Creeks. Ordering a 
garrison for Marietta, and General Logan to join his own army near the 
mouth of Nickajack, I overtook General Thomas at Smyrna. On the 4th 
of July we pushed a strong skirmish line down the main road, capturing 
the entire line of the enemy's pits, and made strong demonstrations along 
Nickajack Creek and about Turner's Ferry. This had the desired effect, 
and the next morning the enemy was gone, and the army moved to the 
Chattahoochie, General Thomas's left flank resting on it near Paiee's 
Ferry, General McPherson's right at the mouth of Nickajack, and General 
Schofield in reserve ; the enemy lay behind a line of unusual strength, 
covering the railroad and pontoon bridges and beyond the Chattahoochie. 
Heavy skirmishing along our whole front during the 5th demonstrated the 
strength of the enemy's position, which could alone be turned by crossing 
the main Chattahoochie River, a rapid and deep stream, only passable at 
that stage by means of bridges, except at one or two very difficult fords. 

To accomplish this result, I judged it would be more easy of execution 
before the enemy had made more thorough preparation or regained full 
confidence, and accordingly I ordered General Schofield across from his 
position on the Sandtown road to Smyrna camp-ground, and next to the 
Chattahoochie, near the mouth of Soap's Creek, and effect a lodgment on 
the east bank. This was most successfully and skillfully accomplished on 
the 7th of July, General Schofield capturing a gun, completely surprising 



MAJOR-GENERA SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



599 



the guard, laying a good pontoon-bridge and a trestle-bridge, and effecting 
a strong lodgment on high and commanding ground, with good roads lead- 
ing to the east. At the same time, General Garrard moved rapidly on 
Roswell and destroyed the factories which had supplied the rebel armies 
with cloth for years. Over one of these, the woolen-factory, the nominal 
owner displayed the French flag, which was not respected, of course. A 
neutral, surely, is no better than one of our own citizens, and we do not 
permit our own citizens to fabricate cloth for hostile uses. 

General Garrard was then ordered to secure the shallow ford at Ros- 
well, and hold it until he could be relieved by infantry ; and as I contem- 
plated transferring the Army of the Tennessee from the extreme right to 
the left, I ordered General Thomas to send a division of his infantry, that 
was nearest up to Roswell, to hold the ford until General Mcpherson could 
send up a corps from the neighborhood of Nickajack. General Newton's 
division was sent, and held the ford until the arrival of General Dodge's 
corps, which was soon followed by General McPherson's whole army. 
About the same time General Howard had also built a bridge at Powers's 
Ferry ; two miles below, General Schofield had crossed over and taken a 
position on his right. Thus during the 9th we had secured three good and 
safe points of passage over the Chattahoochie, above the enemy, with good 
roads leading to Atlanta, and Johnston abandoned his Ute-du-pont, burned 
his bridges, and left us undisputed masters north and west of the Chatta- 
hoochie, at daylight of the 10th of July. 

This was one, if not the chief, object of the campaign, viz. : the advance- 
ment of our lines from the Tennessee to the Chattahoochie ; but Atlanta 
lay before us only eight miles distant, and was too important a place in the 
hands of an enemy to be left undisturbed with its magazines, stores, 
arsenals, workshops, foundries, &c, and more especially its railroads, which 
converge there from the four great cardinal points. But the men had 
worked hard and needed rest, and we accordingly took a short spell. But, 
in anticipation of this contingency, I had collected a well-appointed force 
of cavalry, about two thousand strong, at Decatur, Alabama, with orders, 
on receiving notice by telegraph, to push rapidly south, cross the Coosa- at 
the railroad bridge or the Ten Islands, and thence by the most direct route 
to Opelika. There is but one stem of finished railroad connecting the 
channels of trade and travel between Georgia and Alabama, and Missis- 
sippi, which runs from Montgomery to Opelika, and my purpose was to 
break it up effectually, and thereby cut off Johnston's army from that 
source of supply and re-enforcement. 

General Rousseau, commanding the District of Tennessee, asked permis- 
sion to command the expedition, and received it. As soon as Johnston 
was well across the Chattahoochie, and as I had begun to maneuver on 
Atlanta, I gave the requisite notice, and General Rousseau started punc- 
tually on the 10th of July. He fulfilled his orders and instructions to the 
very letter, whipping the rebel General Clanton en route; he passed 
through Talladega, and reached the railroad on the 16th, about twenty-five 
miles west of Opelika, and broke it well up to that place. Also three 



#300 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



miles of the branch toward Columbus and two toward West Point. He 
then turned north and brought his command safely to Marietta, arriving 
on the 22d, having sustained a trifling loss, not to exceed thirty men. 

The main armies remained quiet in their camps, on the Chattahoochie, 
until the 16th of July, but the time was employed in collecting stores at 
Allatoona, Marietta, and Vining's Station, strengthening the railroad guards 
and garrisons, and improving the piers, bridges, and roads leading across the 
river. General Stoneman's and McCook's cavalry had scouted well down 
the river to draw attention in that direction, and all things being ready for 
a general advance, I ordered it to commence on the 17th ; General Thomas 
to cross at Powers's and Paice's Ferry bridges, and to march by Buckhead ; 
General Schofield was already across at the mouth of Soap's Creek, and to 
march by Cross Keys, and General McPherson to direct his course from 
Roswell straight against the Augusta road, at some point east of Decatur, 
near Stone Mountain. General Garrard's cavalry acted with General 
McPherson, and Generals Stoneman and McCook watched the river and 
roads below the railroad. On the 17th, the whole army advanced from 
their camps and formed a general line along the old Peach-tree road. 

Continuing on a general right-wheel, General McPherson reached the 
Augusta Railroad on the 18th, at a point seven miles east of Decatur, and, 
with General Garrard's cavalry and General Morgan L. Smith's infantry 
division of the Fifteenth Corps, broke up a section of about four miles, and 
General Schofield reached the town of Decatur. 

On the 19th, General McPherson turned along the railroad into Decatur, 
and General Schofield followed a road. toward Atlanta, leading- by Colonel 
Howard's house and the distillery, and General Thomas crossed Peach-tree 
Creek in force by numerous bridges in the face of the enemy's intrenched 
lines. All found the enemy in more or less force, and skirmished heavily. 

On the 20th, all the armies had closed in, converging toward Atlanta, 
but, as a gap existed between Generals Schofield and Thomas, two divisions 
of General Howard's corps of General Thomas's army were moved to the 
left to connect with General Schofield, leaving General Newton's division 
of the same corps on the Buckhead road. During the afternoon of the 
20th, about four p. m., the enemy sallied from his works in force, and fell in 
line of battle against our right center, composed of General Newton's 
division of General Howard's corps, on the main Buckhead road ; of Gen- 
eral Hooker's corps next; south, and General Johnson's division of General 
Palmer's corps. The blow was sudden and somewhat unexpected, but 
General Newton had hastily covered his front by a line of rail-piles, which 
enabled him to meet and repulse the attack on him. General Hooker's 
whole corps was uncovered, and had to fight on comparatively open ground, 
and it, too, after a very severe battle, drove the enemy back to his intrench- 
ments, and the action in front of General Johnston was comparatively 
light, that division being well intrenched. The enemy left on the field over 
five hundred dead, abont one thousand wounded severely, seven stands of 
colors, and many prisoners. His loss could not have fallen short of five 
thousand, whereas ours was covered by one thousand five hundred killed, 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



GOl 



wounded, and missing; the greater loss fell on General Hooker's corps, 
from its exposed condition. 

On the 21st, we felt the enemy in his intrenched position, which was 
found to crown the hights overlooking the comparatively open ground of 
the valley of Peach-tree Creek, his right beyond the Augusta road to the 
east, and his left well toward Turner's Ferry on the Chattahoochie, at a 
general distance from Atlanta of about four miles. 

On the morning of the 22d, somewhat to my surprise, this whole line 
was found abandoned, and I confess I thought the enemy had resolved to 
give us Atlanta without further contest ; but General Johnston had been 
relieved of his command, and General Hood substituted. A new policy 
seemed resolved on, of which the bold attack on our right was the index. 
Our advancing ranks swept across the strong and well-finished parapet of 
the enemy, and closed in upon Atlanta, until we occupied a line in the form 
of a general circle of about two miles radius, when we again found him 
occupying in force a line of finished redoubts, which had been prepared for 
more than a year, covering all the roads leading into Atlanta; and we 
found him also bnsy in connecting those redoubts with curtains strength- 
ened by rifle trenches, abatis, and chevauX-de-frise. 

General McPherson, who had advanced from Decatur, continued to 
follow substantially the railroad, with the Fifteenth Corps, General Logan; 
the Seventeenth, General Blair, on its left, and the Sixteenth, General 
Dodge, on its right; but as the general advance of all the armies con- 
tracted the circle, the Sixteenth Corps, General Dodge, was thrown out of 
line by the Fifteenth connecting on the right with General Schofield, near 
the Howard House. General McPherson, the night before, had gained a 
high hill to the south and east of the railroad, where the Seventeenth Corps 
had, after a severe fight, driven the enemy, and it gave him a most com- 
manding position within easy view of the very heart of the city. He had 
thrown out working-parties to it, and was making preparations to occupy 
it in strength with batteries. The Sixteenth Corps, General Dodge, was 
ordered from right to left to occupy this position, and make it a strong 
general left flank. General Dodge was moving by a diagonal path or 
wagon-track leading from the Decatur road in the direction of General 
Blair's left flank. 

About ten a. m., I was in person with General Schofield examining the 
appearance of the enemy's lines opposite the distillery, where we attracted 
enough of the enemy's fire of artillery and musketry to satisfy me the 
enemy was in Atlanta in force, and meant to fight, and had gone to a large 
dwelling close by, known as the Howard House, where General McPherson 
joined me. He described the condition of things on his flank, and the dis- 
position of his troops. I explained to him that if we met serious resist- 
ance in Atlanta, as present appearances indicated, instead of operating 
against it by the left, I would extend to the right, and that T did not w r ant 
him to gain much distance to the left. He then described the hill occupied by 
General Leggett's division of General Blur's corps as essential to the occu- 
pation of any ground to the east and south of the Augusta Railroad, on 



602 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



account of its commanding nature. I therefore ratified his disposition of 
troops, and modified a previous order I had sent him in writing to use Gene- 
ral Dodge's corps, thrown somewhat in reserve by the closing up of our 
line, to break up railroad, and I sanctioned its going, as already ordered by 
General McPherson, to his left, to hold and fortify that position. The 
general remained with me until near noon, when some reports reaching us 
that indicated a movement of the enemy on that flank, he mounted and 
rode away with his staff. I must here also state, that the day before I had 
detached General Garrard's cavalry to go to Covington, on the Augusta 
road, forty- two miles east of Atlanta, and from that point to send detach- 
ments to break the two important bridges across the Yellow and Ulcofau- 
hatchee Rivers, tributaries of the Ocmulgee; and General McPherson had 
also left his wagon -train at Decatur, under a guard of three regiments, 
commanded by Colonel (now General) Sprague. Soon after General Mc- 
Pherson left me at the Howard House, as before described, I heard the 
sounds of musketry to our left rear; at first mere pattering shots, but soon 
they grew in volume, accompanied with artillery, and about the same time 
the sound of guns was heard in the direction of Decatur. No doubt could 
longer be entertained of the enemy's plan of action, which was to throw a 
superior force on our left flank, while he held us with his forts in front, the 
only question being as to the amount of force he could employ at that 
point, I hastily transmitted orders to all points of our center and right to 
press forward and give full employment to all the enemy in his lines, and 
for General Schofield to hold as large a force in reserve as possible, awaiting 
developments. Not more than half an hour after General McPherson had 
left me, viz., about half-past twelve o'clock p. m., of the 22d, his adjutant- 
general, Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, rode up and reported that General Mc- 
Pherson was either dead or a prisoner; that he had ridden from me to 
General Dodge's column, moving as heretofore described, and had sent off 
nearly all his staff and orderlies on various errands, and himself had passed 
into a narrow path or road that led to the left and rear of General Giles A. 
Smith's division, which was General Blair's extreme left ; that a few 
minutes after he had entered the woods a sharp volley was heard in that 
direction, and his horse had come out riderless, having two wounds. The 
suddenness of this terrible calamity would have overwhelmed me with 
grief, but the living demanded my whole thoughts. I instantly dispatched 
a staff-officer to General John A. Logan, commanding the Fifteenth Corps, 
to tell him what had happened ; that he must assume command of the 
Army of the Tennessee, and hold stubbornly the ground already chosen, 
more especially the hill gained by General Leggett the night before. 

Already the whole lino was engaged in battle. Hardee's corps had sal- 
lied from Atlanta, and by a wide circuit to the east had struck General Blair's 
left flank, enveloped it, and his right had swung around until it hit General 
Dodge in motion. General Blair's line was substantially along the old line 
of the rebel trench, but it was fashioned to fight outward. A space of 
wooded ground of near half a mile intervened between the head of G-eneral 
Dodge's column and General Blair's line, through which the enemy had 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



603 



poured, but the last order ever given by General McPherson was to hurry 
a brigade (Colonel Wangelin's) of the Fifteenth Corps across from the rail- 
road to occupy this gap. It came across on the double-quick and checked 
the enemy. While Hardee attacked in flank, Stewart's corps was to attack 
in front, directly out from the main works, but fortunately their attack 3 
were not simultaneous. The enemy swept across the hill which our men 
were then fortifying, and captured the pioneer company, its tools, and 
almost the entire working-party, and bore down on our left until ho en- 
countered General Giles A. Smith's division of the Seventeenth Corps, who 
was somewhat "in air," and forced to fight first from one side of the old 
rifle-parapet and then from the other, gradually withdrawing regiment by 
regiment, so as to form a flank to General Leggett's division, which held 
the apex of the hill, which was the only part that was deemed essential to 
our future plans. General Dodge had caught and held well in check the 
enemy's right, and punished him severely, capturing many prisoners. 
Smith (General Giles A.) had gradually given up the extremity of his line 
and formed a new one, whose right connected with General Leggett, and 
his left refused, facing southeast. On this ground, and in this order, the 
men fought well and desperately for near four hours, checking and repuls- 
ing all the enemy's attacks. The execution on the enemy's ranks at the 
angle was terrible, and great credit is due both Generals Leggett and Giles 
A. Smith, and their men, for their hard and stubborn fighting. The enemy 
made no further progress on that flank, and by four o'clock p. m. had almost 
given up the attempt. In the mean time Wheeler's cavalry, unopposed 
(for General Garrard was absent at Covington by my order), had reached 
Decatur, and attempted to capture the wagon-trains, but Colonel (now 
General,) Sprague covered them with great skill and success, sending them 
to the rear of Generals Schoiield and Thomas, and not drawing back from 
Decatur till every wagon was safe, except three which the teamsters had 
left, carrying off the mules. On our extreme left the enemy had taken a 
complete battery of six guns, with its horses (Murray's), of the regular 
army, as it was moving along unsupported and unapprehensive of danger, 
in a narrow wooded road in that unguarded space between the head of 
General Dodge's column and the line-of-battle on the ridge above, but most 
of the men escaped to the bushes. He also got two other guns on the ex- 
treme left flank, that were left on the ground as General Gile sA. Smith 
drew off his men in the manner heretofore described. About four o'clock 
p. m. there was quite a lull, during which the enemy felt forward on the 
railroad and main Decatur road, and suddenly assailed a regiment which, 
with a section of guns, had been thrown forward as a kind of picket, and 
captured the two guns ; he then advanced rapidly, and broke through our 
lines at that point, which had been materially weakened by the withdrawal 
of Colonel Martin's brigade, sent by General Logan's order to the extreme 
left. The other brigade, General Lightburn, which held this part of the 
line, fell back in some disorder about four hundred yards, to a position 
held by it the night before, leaving the enemy for a time in possession of 
two batteries, one of which, a twenty-pounder Parrott battery of four guns, 



604 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



was most valuable to us, and separating General Woods's and General Har- 
row's divisions of the Fifteenth Corps, that were on the right and left of 
the railroad. Being in person close by the spot, and appreciating the vast 
importance of the connection at that point, I ordered certain batteries of 
General Schofield to be moved to a position somewhat commanding, by a 
left-flank fire, and ordered an incessant fire of shells on the enemy within 
sight, and the woods beyond, to prevent his re- enforcing. I also sent or- 
ders to General Logan, which he had already anticipated, to make the Fif- 
teenth Corps regain its lost ground at any cost, and instructed General 
Woods, supported by General Schofield, to use his division and sweep the 
parapet down from where he held it until he saved the batteries and re- 
covered the lost ground. The whole was executed in superb style, at times 
our men and the enemy fighting across the narrow parapet; but at last 
the enemy gave way, and the Fifteenth Corps regained its position, and all 
the guns, except the two advanced ones, which were out of view, and had 
been removed by the enemy within his main work. With this terminated 
the battle of the 22d, which cost us three thousand seven hundred and 
twenty-two killed, wounded, and prisoners. 

But among the dead was Major-General McPherson, whose body was 
recovered and brought to me in the heat of battle, and I had sent it in 
charge of his personal staff back to Marietta, on its way to his Northern 
home. He was a noble youth, of striking personal appearance, of the 
highest professional capacity, and with a heart abounding in kindness, that 
drew to him the affections of all men. His sudden death devolved the 
command of the Army of the Tennessee on the no less brave and gallant 
General Logan, who nobly sustained his reputation and that of his veteran 
army, and avenged the death of his comrade and commander. The enemy 
left on the field his dead and wounded, and about a thousand well prison- 
ers. His dead alone are computed by General Logan at three thousand two 
hundred and forty, of which number two thousand two hundred were from 
actual count, and of these he delivered to the enemy, under a flag of truce 
sent in by him (the enemy), eight hundred bodies. I entertain no doubt 
that in the battle of July 22d the enemy sustained an aggregate loss of full 
eight thousand men. The next day General Garrard returned from Co- 
vington, having succeeded perfectly in his mission, and destroyed the 
bridges at Ulcofauhatch.ee and Yellow Rivers, besides burning a train of 
cars, a large quantity of cotton (two thousand bales), and the depots of 
stores at Covington and Conyer's Station, and bringing in two hundred 
prisoners and some good horses, losing but two men, one of whom was 
killed by accident. Having, therefore, sufficiently crippled the Augusta 
road, and rendered it useless to the enemy, I then addressed myself to the 
task of reaching the Macon road, over which, of necessity, came the stores 
and ammunition that alone maintained the rebel army in Atlanta. 

Generals Schofield and Thomas had closed well up, holding the enemy 
behind his inner intrenchments. I first ordered the Army of the Tennessee 
to prepare to vacate its line, and to shift by the right below Proctor's 
Creek, and General Schofield to extend up to the Augusta road. About 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



605 



the same time General Rousseau had arrived from his expedition to 
Opelika, bringing me about two thousand good cavalry, but of course 
fatigued with its long and rapid march ; and, ordering it to relieve General 
Stoneman at the river about Sandtown, T shifted General Stoneman to our 
left flank, and ordered all my cavalry to prepare for a blow at the Macon 
road, simultaneous with the movement of the Army of the Tennessee 
toward East Point. To accomplish this, I gave General Stoneman the 
command of his own and General Garrard's cavalry, making an effective 
force of full five thousand men; and to General McOook I gave his own 
and the new cavalry brought by General Rousseau, which was commanded 
by Colonel Harrison, of the Eighth Indiana Cavalry, in the aggregate 
about four thousand. These two well-appointed bodies were to move in 
concert, the former by the left around Atlanta to McDonough, and the lat- 
ter by the right on Fayetteville, and on a certain night, viz., July 28th, 
they were to meet on the Macon road, near Lovejoy's, and destroy it in the 
most effectual manner. I estimated this joint cavalry could whip all 
Wheeler's cavalry, and could otherwise fully accomplish its task, and I 
think so still. I had the officers in command to meet me, and explained 
the movement perfectly, and they entertained not a doubt of perfect suc- 
cess. At the very moment almost of starting, General Stoneman addressed 
me a note asking permission, after fulfilling his orders and breaking the 
road, to be allowed, with his command proper, to proceed to Macon and 
Andersonville, and release our prisoners of war confined at those points. 
There was something most captivating in the idea, and the execution was 
within the bounds of probability of success. I consented that, after the 
defeat of Wheeler's cavalry, which was embraced in his orders, and break- 
ing the road, he might attempt it with his cavalry proper, sending that of 
General Garrard back to its proper flank of the army. Both cavalry expe- 
ditions started at the time appointed. I have as yet no report from Gene- 
ral Stoneman, who is a prisoner of war at Macon, but I know that he 
dispatched General Garrard's cavalry to Flat Rock, for the purpose of 
covering his own movement to McDonough, but for some reason unknown 
to me he went off toward Covington, and did not again communicate 
with General Garrard at Plat Rock. General Garrard remained there 
until the 29th, skirmishing heavily with a part of Wheeler's cavalry, and 
occupying their attention; but hearing nothing from General Stoneman, he 
moved back to Conyer's, where, learning that General Stoneman had gone 
to Covington and south on the east side of the Ocmulgee, he returned and 
resumed his position on our left. It is known that General Stoneman kept 
to the east of the Ocmulgee to Clinton, sending detachments off to the 
east, which did a large amount of damage to the railroad, burning the 
bridges of Walnut Creek and Oconee, and destroying a large number of 
cars and locomotives, and with his main force appeared before Macon. He 
did not succeed in crossing the Ocmulgee at Macon, or in approaching 
Andersonville, but retired in the direction whence he came, followed by 
various detachments of mounted men, under a General Iverson. He seems 
to have become hemmed in, and gave consent to two-thirds of his force to 



606 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



escape back, whilst he held the enemy in check with the remainder, 
about seven hundred men, and a section of light guns. One brigade, 
Colonel Adams, came in almost intact. Another, commanded by Colonel 
Capron, was surprised on the way back, and scattered ; many were cap- 
tured and killed, and the balance got in mostly unarmed and afoot, and the 
general himself surrendered his small command, and is now a prisoner at 
Macon. His mistake was in not making the first concentration with Gene- 
rals McCook and Garrard, near Lovejoy's, according to his orders, which is 
yet unexplained. 

General McCook, in the execution of his part, went down the west bank 
of the Chattahoochie to near Rivertown, where he laid a pontoon bridge, 
with which he was provided, crossed his command, and moved rapidly on 
Palmetto Station of the West Point road, where he tore up a section of 
track, leaving a regiment to create a diversion toward Campbelltown, 
which regiment fulfilled its duty, and returned to camp by way of, and 
escorting back, the pontoon-bridge train. General McCook then rapidly 
moved to Fayetteville, where he found a large number of the wagons 
belonging to the rebel army in Atlanta. These he burned to the number 
of five hundred, killing eight hundred mules, and carrying along others, 
and taking two hundred and fifty prisoners, mostly quartermasters and 
men belonging to the trains. He then pushed for the railroad, reaching it 
at Lovejoy's Station at the time appointed. He burned the depot, tore up 
a section of the road, and continued to work until forced to leave off to 
defend himself against an accumulating force of the enemy. He could 
hear nothing of General Stoneman, and finding his progress east too 
strongly opposed, he moved south and west, and reached Newinan, on the 
West Point road, where he encountered an infantry force coming from 
Mississippi to Atlanta, which had been stopped by the break he had made 
at Palmetto. This force, with the pursuing cavalry, hemmed him in, and 
forced him to fight. He was compelled to drop his prisoners and captures, 
and cut his way out, losing some five hundred officers and men. Among 
them a most valuable officer, Colonel Harrison, who, when fighting his men 
as skirmishers on foot, was overcome and made prisoner, and is now at 
Macon. He cut his way out, reached the Chattahoochie, crossed, and got 
to Marietta without further loss. 

General McCook is entitled to much credit for thus saving his 
command, which was endangered by the failure of General Stoneman to 
reach Lovejoy's. But, on the whole, the cavalry raid is not deemed a suc- 
cess, for the real purpose was to break the enemy's communications, which, 
though done, was on so limited a scale that I knew the damages would 
soon be repaired. 

Pursuant to the general plan, the Army of the Tennessee drew out of 
its lines near the Decatur road during the night of July 26th, and on the 
27th moved behind the rest of the army to Proctor's Creek, and south, to 
prolong our line due south, facing east. On that day. by appointment of 
the President of the United States, Major-General Howard assumed com- 
mand of the Array of the Tennessee, and had the general supervision of 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



607 



the movement, which was made en echelon — General Dodge's corps, Six- 
teenth, on the left, nearest the enemy ; General Blair's corps, Seventeenth, 
next to come up on its right, and General Logan's corps, Fifteenth, to come 
up on its right and refused as a flank, the w T hole to gain as much ground, 
due south from the flank already established on. Proctor's Creek, as was 
consistent with a proper strength. General Dodge's men got into line in 
the evening of the 27th, and General Blair's came into line on his right 
early on the morning of the 28th, his right reaching an old meeting-house 
called Ezra Church, near some large open fields by the Poor-house, on a 
road known as the Bell's Ferry, or Lickskillct, road. Here the Fifteenth 
Corps, General Logan's, joined on and refused along a ridge well wooded, 
which partially commanded a view over the same fields. About ten a. m., 
all the army was in position, and the men were busy in throwing up the 
accustomed piles of rails and logs, which, after a while, assumed the form 
of a parapet. The skill and rapidity with which our men construct them 
is wonderful, and is something new in the art of war. I rode along his 
whole line about that time, and as I approached Ezra Church there was 
considerable artillery firing enfilading the road in which I was riding, kill- 
ing an orderly's horse just behind my staff. I struck across an open field 
to where General Howard was standing, in the rear of the Fifteenth 
Corps, and walked up to the ridge with General Morgan L. Smith, to see if 
the battery which enfiladed the main road and line of rail-piles could not 
be disposed of, and heard General Smith give the necessary orders for the 
deployment of one regiment forward, and another to make a circuit to 
the right, when I returned to where General Howard was, and remained 
there until twelve o'clock. During this time there was nothing to indi- 
cate serious battle, save the shelling by one, or at most two batteries 
from beyond the large field in front of the Fifteenth Corps. 

Wishing to be well prepared to defeat the enemy if he repeated his 
game of the 22d, I had the night before ordered General Davis's division 
of General Palmer's corps, which, by the movement of the Army of the 
Tennessee, had been left, as it were, in reserve, to move down to Turner's 
Ferry, and thence toward Whitehall or East Point, aiming to reach the 
flank of General Howard's new line, hoping that, in case of an attack, this 
division would in turn catch the attacking force, in flank or rear, at an 
unexpected moment. I explained it to General Howard, and bade him 
expect the arrival of such a force in case of battle. Indeed, I expected to 
hear the fire of its skirmishers by noon. General Davis was sick that day, 
and Brigadier-General Morgan commanded the division which had marched 
early for Turner's Ferry; but many of the roads laid down on our maps 
did not exist at all, and General Morgan was delayed thereby. I rode 
back to make more particular inquiries as to this division, and had just 
reached General Davis's head-quarters, at Proctor's Creek, when I heard 
musketry open heavily on the right. The enemy had come out of Atlanta 
by the Bell's Ferry road, and formed his masses in the open fields behind a 
swell of ground, and, after the artillery firing I have described, advanced 
in parallel lines directly against the Fifteenth Corps, expecting to catch 



COS 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GBANT. 



t 



that flank in air. His advance was magnificent, but founded in an error 
that cost him sadly, for our men coolly and deliberately cut down his men, 
and, spite of the efforts of the rebel officers, his ranks broke and fled. But 
they were rallied again and again, as often as six times at some points, and 
a few of the rebel officers and men reached our lines of rail-piles only to be 
killed or hauled over as prisoners. 

These assaults occurred from noon until about four p. m., when the 
enemy disappeared, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. As many 
as six hundred and forty-two dead were counted and buried, and still 
others are known to have been buried which were not counted by the 
regularly detailed burial-parties. 

General Logan on this occasion was conspicuous as on the 22d, his corps 
being chiefly engaged ; but General Howard had drawn from the other 
corps, Sixteenth and Seventeenth, certain reserves which were near at 
hand, but not used. Our entire loss is reported less than six hundred, 
whereas that of the enemy, in killed and wounded, not less than five 
thousand. Had General Davis's division come up on the Bell's Ferry road, 
as I calculated, at any time before four o'clock, what was simply a com- 
plete repulse would have been a disastrous rout to the enemy. But I 
can not attribute the failure to want of energy or intelligence, and must 
charge it, like many other things in this campaign, to the peculiar tangled 
nature of the forests and absence of roads that would admit the rapid 
movement of troops. 

This affair terminated all efforts of the enemy to check our extensions 
by the flank, which afterward proceeded with comparative ease; but he 
met our extensions to the south by rapid and well-constructed forts and 
rifle-pits, built between us and the railroad to and below East Point, re- 
maining perfectly on the defensive. 

Finding that the right flank of the Army of the Tennessee did not reach, 
I was forced to shift General Schofield to that flank also, and afterward 
General Palmer's corps of General Thomas's army. General Schofield 
moved from the left on the 1st of August, and General Palmer's corps 
followed at once, taking a line below Utoy Creek, and General Schofield 
prolonged it to a point near East Point. The enemy made no offensive 
opposition, but watched our movements, and extended his lines and para- 
pets accordingly. 

About this time several changes in important commands occurred, 
which should be noted. General Hooker, offended that General Howard 
was preferred to him as the successor of General McPherson, resigned his 
command of the Twentieth Corps, to which General Slocum was ap- 
pointed; but he was at Vicksbnrg, and, until he joined, the command of 
the corps devolved on General H. S. Williams, who handled it admirably. 
General Palmer also resigned the command of the Fourteenth Corps, and 
General Jeff. C. Davis was appointed to his place. Major-General D. S. 
Stanley had succeeded General Howard in the command of the Fourth 
Corps. 

From the 2d to the 5th we continued to extend to the right, demon- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



609 



strating strongly on the left and along our whole line. General Reilley's 
brigade of General Cox's division, General Schofield's army, on the 5th 
tried to break through the enemy's line about a mile below Utoy Creek, 
but failed to carry the position, losing about four hundred men. who were 
caught in the entanglements and abatis ; but the next day the position, 
was turned by General Hascall. and General Schofield advanced his, whole 
line close up to and facing the enemy below Utoy Creek. Still he did not 
gain the desired foothold on either the West Point or Macon Railroad. 
The enemy's line at that time must have been near fifteen miles long, 
extending from near Decatur to below East Point. This he was enabled 
to do by the use of a large force of State militia, and his position was so 
masked by the shape of the ground that we were unable to discover the 
weak parts. 

I had become satisfied that to reach the Macon road, and thereby con- 
trol the supplies for Atlanta, I would have to move the whole army ; but, 
before beginning, I ordered down from Chattanooga four four-and-a-half- 
inch rifled guns, to try their effect. These arrived on the 10th, and were 
put to work night and day, and did execution on the city, causing frequent 
fires, and creating confusion ; yet the enemy seemed determined to hold his 
forts, even if the city were destroyed. On the 16th of August I made ray 
orders, Xo. 57, prescribing the mode and manner of executing the grand 
movement by the right flank, to begin on the 18th. This movement con- 
templated the withdrawal of the Twentieth Corps, General Williams, to the 
intrenched position at the Chattahoochie Bridge, and the march of the main 
army to the West Point Railroad, near Fairborn, and afterward to the Ma- 
con road, at or near Jonesboro', with our wagons loaded with provisions for 
fifteen days. About the time of the publication of these orders, I learned 
that Wheeler, with a large mounted force of the enemy, variously estimated 
from six thousand to ten thousand men, had passed around by the east and 
north, and had made his appearance on our lines of communication near 
Adairsville. and had succeeded in capturing nine hundred of our beef-cattle, 
and had made a break of the railroad near Calhoun. I could not have 
asked any thing better, for I had provided well against such a contingency, 
and this detachment left me superior to the enemy in cavalry. I suspended 
the execution of my orders for the time being, and ordered General Kilpat- 
rick to make up a well-appointed force of about five thousand cavalry, and 
to move from his camp about Sandtown, during the night of the 18th, to the 
West Point road, and break it good near Fairborn ; then to proceed across 
to the Macon road, and tear it up thoroughly ; to avoid as far as possible 
the enemy's infantry, but to attack any cavalry he could find. I thought 
this cavalry would save the necessity of moving the main army across, and 
that, in case of his success, it would leave me in better position to take full 
advantage of the result. 

General Kilpatrick got off at the time appointed, and broke the West 
road, and afterward reached the Macon road at Jonesboro', where he 
whipped Ross's cavalry and got possession of the railroad, which he held 
for five hours, damaging it considerably. But a brigade of the enemy's in- 

39 



610 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



fantry, which had been dispatched below Jonesboro' in cars, was run back 
and disembarked, and, with Jackson's rebel cavalry, made it impossible for 
him to continue his work. He drew off to the east, and made a circuit, and 
struck the railroad about Lovejoy's Station, but was again threatened by the 
enemy, who moved on shorter lines, when he charged through their caval- 
ry, taking many prisoners, of which he brought in seventy, and captured a 
four-gun battery, which he destroyed, except one gun, which he brought 
in. He estimated the damage done to the road as enough to interrupt 
its use for ten days ; after which he returned by a circuit north and east, 
reaching Decatur on the 22d. After an interview with General Kilpatrick, 
1 was satisfied that whatever damage he had done would not produce the 
result desired, and I renewed my orders for the movement of the whole 
army. This involved the necessity of raising the siege of Atlanta, taking 
the field with our main force, and using it against the conmiunications of 
Atlanta instead of against its intrenchments. All the army commanders 
were at once notified to send their surplus wagons, incumbrances of all 
kinds, and sick, back to our intrenched position at the bridge, and that the 
movement would begin during the night of the 25th. Accordingly, all 
things being ready, the Fourth Corps, General Stanley, drew out of its lines 
on our extreme left, and marched to a position below Proctor's Creek. 
The Twentieth Corps, General Williams, moved back to the Chattahoochie. 
This movement was made without loss, save a few things left in our camps 
by thoughtless officers or men. The night of the 26th the movement con- 
tinued, the Army of the Tennessee drawing out and moving rapidly by a 
circuit well toward Sandtown and across Camp Creek, the Army of the 
Cumberland below TJtoy Creek, General Schofield, remaining in position. 
This was effected with the loss of but a single man in the Army of the 
Tennessee, wounded by a shell from the enemy. The third movement 
brought the Army of the Tennessee on the West Point Railroad, above 
Fairborn, the Army of the Cumberland about Red Oak, and General Scho- 
field closed in near Digs and Mins. I then ordered one day's work to be 
expended in destroying that road, and it was done with a will. Twelve and 
one-half miles were destroyed, the ties burned, and the iron rails heated 
and tortured by the utmost ingenuity of old hands at the work. Several 
cuts were filled up with the trunks of trees, with logs, rock, and earth in- 
termingled with loaded shells, prepared as torpedoes, to explode in case of 
an attempt to clear them out. Having personally inspected this work, and 
satisfied with its execution, I ordered the whole army to move the next 
day eastward by several roads : General Howard on the right, toward 
Jonesboro' ; General Thomas, the center, by Shoal Creek church to Couch's, 
on the Decatur and Fayetteville road ; and General Schofield on the left, 
about Morrow's mills. An inspection of the map will show the strategic 
advantages of this position. The railroad from Atlanta to Macon follows 
substantially the ridge or 11 divide " between the waters of Flint and Oc- 
mulgee Rivers, and from East Point to Jonesboro' makes a wide bend to the 
east. Therefore the position I have described, which had been well studied 
on paper, was my first "objective." It gave me "interior lines," some- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHEBMAtf'S REPORT. 



Oil 



tliing our enemy had enjoyed too long, find I was anxious for once to ^e& 
the inside track, and therefore my haste and desire to secure it. 

The several columns moved punctually on the morning of the 29th. 
General Thomas, on the center, encountered little opposition or difficulty, 
save what resulted from the narrow roads, and reached his position at 
Couch's early in the afternoon; General Schofield being closer to the- 
enemy, who still clung to East Point, moved cautiously on a small circle 
around that point, and came into position toward Rough-and-Ready ; and 
General Howard, having the outer circle, had a greater distance to move. 
He encountered cavalry, which he drove rapidly to the crossing of Shoal 
Creek, where the enemy also had artillery. Here a short delay occurred, 
and some cannonading and skirmishing; but General Howard started them 
again, and kept them moving, passed the Renfro place on the Decatur 
road, which was the point indicated for him in the orders of that day ; but 
lie wisely and well kept on, and pushed on toward Jonesboro', saved the 
bridge across Flint River, and did not halt until darkness compelled him, 
within half a mile of Jonesboro\ Here he rested for the night, and on the 
morning of August 31st, finjding himself in the presence of a heavy force 
of the enemy, he deployed the Fifteenth Corps, and disposed the Sixteenth 
and Seventeenth on its flanks. The men covered their front with the usual 
parapet, and were soon prepared to act offensively or defensively, as the 
case called for. I was that night with General Thomas at Couches, and as 
soon as I learned that General Howard had passed Renfro's, I directed 
General Thomas to send to that place a division of General Jeff. C. Davis's 
corps, to move General Stanley's corps, in connection with General 
Schofield's, toward R,ough-and-Ready, and then to send forward due east 
a strong detachment of General Davis's corps, to feel for the railroad. 
General Schofield was also ordered to move boldly forward and strike the 
railroad near Rough-and-Ready. These movements were progressing dur- 
ing the 31st, when the enemy came out of his works at Jonesboro', and 
attacked General Howard in position described. General Howard was 
admirably situated to receive him, and repulse the attack thoroughly. The 
enemy attacked with Lee's and Hardee's corps, and after a contest of over 
two hours withdrew, leaving over four hundred dead on the ground ; and 
his wounded, of which about three hundred were left in Jonesboro', could 
not have been less than two thousand five hundred. Hearing the sounds of 
battle at Jonesboro' about noon, orders were renewed to push the other 
movements on the left and center, and about four p. m. the reports arrived 
simultaneously that General Howard had thoroughly repulsed the enemy 
at Jonesboro'; that General Schofield had reached the railroad a mile 
below Rough-and-Ready, and was working up the road, breaking it as he 
went; that General Stanley, of General Thomas's army, had also got' : the 
road below General Schofield, and was destroying its working south ; and 
that General Baird, of General Davis's corps, had struck it still lower 
down, within four miles of Jonesboro.' 

Orders were at once given for all the army to turn on Jonesboro', Gene- 
ral Howard to keep the enemy busy whilst General Thomas should move 



612 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GESTERAL GRASTT. 



down from the north, with General Schofield on his left. I also ordered 
the troops, as they moved down, to continue the thorough destruction of 
the railroad, because we had it then, mid I did not know but that events 
might divert our attention. General Garrard's cavalry was directed to 
watch the roads to our rear, the north. General Kilpatrick was sent 
south, down the west bank of Flint, with instructions to attack or threaten 
the railroad below Jonesboro'. I expected the whole army would close 
down on Jonesboro' by noon of the 1st of September. General Davis's 
corps, having a shorter distance to travel, was on time and deployed, facing 
south, his right in connection with General Howard, and his left on the 
railroad. General Stanley and General Schofield were coming down along 
the Rough-and-Ready road, and along the railroad, breaking it as they 
came. When General Davis joined to General Howard, General Blair's 
corps on General Howard's left was thrown in re-serve, and was immedi- 
ately sent well to the right below Jonesboro', to act against the flank along 
with General Kilpatrick's cavalry. About four p. m. General Davis was all 
ready, and assaulted the enemy's lines across open fields, carrying them 
very handsomely, and taking as prisoners the greater part of Govan's 
brigade, including its commander, with two four-gun batteries. Repeated 
orders were sent to Generals Stanley and Schofield to hurry up, but the 
difficult nature of the country and the absence of roads are the reasons 
assigned why these troops did not get well into position for attack before 
night rendered further operations impossible. Of course, the next morn- 
ing the enemy was gone, and had retreated south. About two o'clock that 
night, the sounds of heavy explosions were heard in the direction of 
Atlanta, distance about twenty miles, with a succession of minor explo- 
sions, and what seemed like the rapid firing of cannon and musketry. 
These continued for about an hour, and again, about four a. m., occurred 
another series of similar discharges, apparently nearer us, and these sounds 
could be accounted for on no other hypothesis than of a night attack on 
Atlanta by General Slocum, or the blowing up of the enemy's magazines, 
ITevertheless, at daybreak, on finding the enemy gone from his lines at 
Jonesboro', I ordered a general pursuit south, General Thomas following to 
the left of the railroad, General Howard on his right, and General Scho- 
field keeping off about two miles to the east. We overtook the enemy 
again, near Lovejoy's Station, in a strong intrenched position, with his 
flanks well protected behind a branch of "Walnut Creek, to the right, and a 
confluent of the Flint River to his left. "We pushed close up and recon- 
noitered the ground, and found he had evidently halted to cover his com- 
munication with the McDonough and Fayetteville road. 

Rumors began to arrive, through prisoners captured, that Atlanta had 
been abandoned during the night of September 1st, that Hood had blown 
up his ammunition trains, which accounted for the sounds so plainly heard 
by us, and which were yet unexplained ; that Stewart's corps was then 
retreating toward McDonough, and that the militia had gone off toward 
Covington. It was then too late to interpose and prevent their escape, and I 
was satisfied with the substantial success already gained. Accordingly, I 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



613 



ordered the work of destroying railroad to cease, and the troops to be 
held in hand ready for any movement that further information from 
Atlanta might warrant. 

General Jeff. 0. Davis's corps had been left above Jonesboro', and 
General Garrard's cavalry was still farther back, and the latter was ordered 
to send back to Atlanta and ascertain the exact truth and the real situation 
of affairs. But the same night, viz., of September 4th, a courier arrived 
from General Slocum reporting the fact that the enemy had evacuated 
Atlanta, blown up seven trains of cars, and had retreated on the McDon- 
ough road. General Slocum had entered and taken possession on the 2d 
of September. 

The object of my movement against the railroad was therefore already 
reached and concluded, and as it was idle to pursue our enemy in that 
wooded country, with a view to his capture, I gave orders on the 4th for 
the army to prepare to move back slowly to Atlanta, On the 5th we 
drew back to the vicinity of Jonesboro', five miles, where we remained a 
day. On the 7th we moved to Rough-and-Ready, seven miles, and the 
next day to the camps selected, viz. : the Army of the Cumberland group- 
ed around about Atlanta, the Army of the Tennessee about East Point, and 
that of the Ohio at Decatur, where the men now occupy clean and healthy 
camps. 

I have not yet received full or satisfactory accounts of Wheeler's opera- 
tions to our rear, further than that he broke the road about Calhoun, and 
then made his appearance at Dalton, where Colonel Laibold held him in 
check until General Steedman arrived from Chattanooga and drove him off. 
He then passed up into East Tennessee, and made quite a stay at Athens; 
but, on the first show of pursuit, he kept on north across the Little Ten- 
nessee ; and, crossing the Holston near Strawberry Plains, reached the 
Clinch near Clinton, and passed over toward Sequatchee and McMinnville. 
Thence he seems to have gone to Murfreesboro 1 and Lebanon, and across 
to Franklin. He may have committed damage to the property of citizens, 
but has injured us but little, the railroads being repaired about as fast as he 
broke them. From Franklin he has been pursued toward Florence, and 
out of the State by Generals Rousseau, Steedman, and Granger ; but what 
amount of execution they have done to him is not yet reported. Our roads 
and telegraph are all repaired, and the cars run with regularity and speed. 
It is proper to remark in this place, that, during the operations of this cam- 
paign, expeditions were sent out from Memphis and Vicksburg to check 
any movements of the enemy's forces in Mississippi upon our communica- 
tions. The manner in which this object was accomplished reflects credit 
upon Generals A. J. Smith, Washburne, Slocum, and Mower ; and although 
General Sturgis's expedition was less successful than the others, it assisted 
lis in the main object to be accomplished. 

I must bear full and liberal testimony to the energetic and successful 
management of our railroads during the campaign. No matter when or 
where a break has been made, the repair-train seemed on the spot, and the 
damage was repaired generally before I knew of the break. Bridges have 



614 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



been built with surprising rapidity, and the locomotive whistle was heard 
in our advanced camps almost before the echoes of the skirmish fire had 
ceased. Some of these bridges — those of the Oostanaula, the Etowah, and 
Chattahoochie — are fine, substantial structures, and were built in incon- 
ceivably short time, almost out of material improvised on the spot. 

Colonel W. W. Wright, who has charge of the "construction and re- 
pairs," is not only a most skillful, but a wonderfully ingenious, industrious, 
and zealous officer, and I can hardly do him justice. In like manner the 
officers charged with running the trains have succeeded to my entire satis- 
faction, and have worked in perfect harmony with the quartermasters and 
commissaries, bringing forward abundant supplies with such regularity 
that at no one time have we wanted for provisions, forage, ammunition, or 
stores of any essential kind. 

Colonel L. C. Easton, chief quartermaster, and Colonel A, Beekwith, 
chief commissary, have also succeeded, in a manner surprising to all of us, 
in getting forward supplies. I doubt if ever an army was better supplied 
than this, and I commend them most highly for it, because I know that 
more solicitude was felt by the Lieutenant-General commanding, and by the 
military world at large, on this than on any other one problem involved in 
the success of the campaign. 

Captain T. G. Baylor, chief ordnance officer, has in like manner kept 
the army well supplied at all times with every kind of ammunition. To 
Captain O. M. Poe, chief engineer, I am more than ordinarily indebted for 
keeping me supplied with maps and information of roads, and topography, 
as well as in the more important branch of his duties in selecting lines and 
military positions. My own personal staff has been small, but select. 

Brigadier-General W. F. Barry, an officer of enlarged capacity and 
great experience, has filled the office of chief of artillery to perfection ; and 
Lieutenant-Colonel E. D. Kitto, chief medical inspector, has done every 
thing possible to give proper aid and direction to the operations of that 
important department. I have never seen the wounded removed from 
the fields of battle, cared for, and afterward sent to proper hospitals 
in the rear, with more promptness, system, care, and success, than during 
this whole campaign, covering over one hundred days of actual battle and 
skirmish. 

My aides-de-camp, Major J. C. McCoy, Captain L. M. Dayton, and Cap- 
tain J. D. Audenried, have been ever zealous and most efficient, carrying 
my orders day and night to distant points of our extended lines, with an 
intelligence and zeal that insured the perfect working of machinery, cover- 
ing from ten to twenty-five miles of ground, when the least error in the de- 
livery and explanation of an order would have produced confusion ; where- 
as in great measure, owing to the intelligence of these officers, orders have 
been made so clear that these vast armies have moved side by side, sometimes 
crossing each other's tracks through a difficult country of over a hundred 
and thirty-eight miles in length, without confusion or trouble. 

Captain Dayton has also fulfilled the duties of my adjutant-general, 
making all orders and carrying on the official correspondence. 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



615 



Three inspectors- general completed ray staff: Brigadier-General J. M. 
Corse, who has since been assigned the command of a division of the Six- 
teenth Corps, at the request of General Dodge; Lieutenant- Colonel W. 
Warner, of the Seventy-sixth Ohio, and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Ewing, 
inspector-general of the Fifteenth Corps and captain Thirteenth United 
States Regulars. 

These officers, of singular energy and intelligence, have been of im- 
mense assistance to me in handling these large armies. 

My three " armies in the field " were commanded by able officers, my 
equals in rank and experience: Major-General George H. Thomas, Major- 
General J. M. Schofield, and Major-General O. O. Howard. With such 
commanders, I had only to indicate the object desired, and they accom- 
plished it. I can not over-estimate their services to the country, and must 
express my deep and heart-felt thanks that, coming together from different 
fields, with different interests, they have co-operated with a harmony that 
has been productive of the greatest amount of success and good feeling. A 
more harmonious army does not exist. 

I now inclose their reports, and those of the corps, division, and brigade 
commanders, a perusal of which will fill up the sketch which I have 
endeavored to make. I also submit tabular statements of our losses in 
battle by wounds and sickness ; also, lists of prisoners captured, sent to the 
rear, and exchanged; also, of the guns and materials of war captured, 
besides the important country, towns, and arsenals of the enemy that we 
now ''occupy and hold. 1 ' 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

W. T. Sheeivian, Major-Genera! Commanding. 
Major-General H. W. Halleck, 

Chief of Staff, Washington, D. C. 



General Sherman issued an order, September 4-th, to the effect that the city 
of Atlanta being exclusively required for warlike purposes, all citizens must 
remove from it ; and, to expedite such removal, he entered into a truce with 
General Hood, and made arrangements with him for forwarding the 
citizens and their effects beyond the Federal lines. In connection with this 
event, the following correspondence took place between the authorities of 
Atlanta and General Sherman : 

Atlanta, Ga., Sept 11, 1864 
Majoe-Geneeal W. T. SnEEMAisr — Sib : — The undersigned, Mayor and 
two members of Council for the city of Atlanta, for the time being the only 
legal organ of the people of said city to express their wants and wishes, 
ask leave most earnestly, but respectfully, to petition you to reconsider the 
order requiring them to leave Atlanta. At first view it struck us that the 
measure would involve extraordinary hardship and loss, but since we have 
seen the practical execution of it, so far as it has progressed, and the indi- 
vidual condition of many of the people, and heard the statements as to the 



616 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



inconveniences, loss, and suffering attending it, we are satisfied that the 
amount of it will involve in the aggregate consequences appalling and 
heart-rending. 

Many poor women are in an advanced state of pregnancy; others 
having young children, whose husbands, for the greater part, are either in 
the army, prisoners, or dead. Some say : " I have such a one sick at my 
house; who will wait on them when I am gone ?" Others say: "What are 
we to do ? we have no houses to go to, and no means, to buy, build, or rent 
any; no parents, relatives, or friends to go to." Another says : " I will try 
and take this or that article of property ; but such and such things I must 
leave behind, though I need them much." We reply to them: "General 
Sherman will carry your property to Rough- and Ready, and then General 
Hood will take it thence on." And they will reply to that : " But I want to 
leave the railroad at such a place, and can not get conveyance from thence 
on." 

We only refer to a few facts, to illustrate, in part, how this measure 
will operate in practice. As you advanced, the people north of us fell back, 
and before your arrival here a large portion of the people had retired south ; 
so that the country south of this is already crowded, and without sufficient 
houses to accommodate the people, and we are informed that many are now 
staying in churches and other outbuildings. This being so, how is it possi- 
ble for the people still here (mostly women and children) to find shelter, and 
how can they live through the winter in the woods — no shelter or subsist- 
ence — in the midst of strangers who know them not, and without the 
power to assist them much if they were willing to do so ? 

This is but a feeble picture of the consequences of this measure. You 
know the woe, the horror, and the suffering can not be described by words. 
Imagination can only conceive of it, and we ask you to take these things 
into consideration. We know your mind and time are continually occupied 
with the duties of your command, which almost deters us from asking your 
attention to the matter, but thought it might be that you had not considered 
the subject in all of its awful consequences, and that, on reflection, you, we 
hope, would not make this people an exception to all mankind, for we know 
of no such instance ever having occurred — surely not in the United States. 
And what has this helpless people done that they should be driven from 
their homes, to wander as strangers, outcasts, and exiles, and to subsist on 
charity ? 

We do not know as yet the number of people still here. Of those who 
are here, a respectable number, if allowed to remain at home, could subsist 
for several months without assistance ; and a respectable number for a 
much longer time, and who might not need assistance at any time. 

In conclusion, we most earnestly and solemnly petition you to recon- 
sider this order, or modify it, aud suffer this unfortunate people to remain at 
home and enjoy what little means they have. 

Respectfully submitted, 

James M. CAuroTra' v Mayor. 

K E. Rawsok, S. 0. Wells, Councilmen. 



MAJOK- GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



617 



Head-Quarters Military Dmsio.\ of the Mississippi, I 
In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., September 12, 1864. j 

James M. Calhoun, Mayor, E. E. Rawson, and S. C. Wells, representing 
City Council of Atlanta : — 

Gentlemen: — I have your letter of the 11th, in the nature of a petition 
to revoke my orders removing all the inhabitants from Atlanta. I have 
read it carefully, and give full credit to your statements of the distress that 
will be occasioned by it, and yet shall not revoke my order, simply because 
my orders are not designed to meet the humanities of the case, but to pre- 
pare for the future struggles in which millions, yea hundreds of millions, 
of good people outside of Atlanta have a deep interest. We must have 
Peace, not only at Atlanta, but in all America. To secure this, we must 
stop the war that now desolates our once happy and favored country. To 
stop war, we must defeat the rebel armies that are arrayed against the laws 
and Constitution which all must respect and obey. To defeat these armies, 
we must prepare the way to reach them in their recesses, provided with 
the arms and instruments which enable us to accomplish our purpose. 

Now, I know the vindictive nature of our enemy, and that we may 
have many years of military operations from this quarter, and therefore 
deem it wise and prudent to prepare in time. The use of Atlanta for war- 
like purposes is inconsistent with its character as a home for families. 
There will be no manufactures, commerce or agriculture here for the main- 
tenance of families, and sooner or later want will compel the inhabitants to 
go. Why not go now, when all the arrangements are completed for the 
transfer, instead of waiting till the plunging shot of contending armies will 
renew the scene of the past month? Of course I do not apprehend 
any such thing at this moment, but you do not suppose that this army 
will be here till the war is over. I can not discuss this subject with you 
fairly, because I can not impart to you what 1 propose to do, but I assert 
that ray military plans make it necessary for the inhabitants to go away, 
and I can only renew my offer of services to make their exodus in any 
direction as easy and comfortable as possible. You can not qualify war in 
harsher terms than I will. 

War is cruelty, and you can not refine it ; and those who brought war 
on the country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour 
out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make 
more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace. But you can not 
have peace and a division of our country. If the United States submits 
to a division now, it will not stop, but will go on till we reap the fate of 
Mexico, which is eternal war. The United States does and must assert its 
authority wherever it has power ; if it relaxes one bit to pressure, it is 
gone, and I know that such is not the national feeling. This feeling 
assumes various shapes, but always comes back to that of Union. Once 
admit the Union, once more acknowledge the authority of the National 
Government, and instead of devoting your houses, and streets, and. roads, 
to the dread uses of war, I, and this army, become at once your protectors 



618 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and supporters, shielding you from danger, let it come from what quarter 
it may. I know that a few individuals can not resist a torrent of error and 
passion such as has swept the South into rebellion ; but you can point out, 
so that we may know those who desire a government and those who insist 
on war and its desolation. 

You might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against these 
terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the 
people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home 
is to stop this war, which can alone be done by admitting that it began in 
error and is perpetuated in pride. We don't want your negroes or your 
horses, or your houses or your land, or any thing you have ; but we do 
want and will have a just obedience to the laws of the United States. 
That we will have, and if it involves the destruction of your improvements, 
we can not help it. You have heretofore read public sentiment in your 
newspapers, that live by falsehood and excitement, and the quicker you 
seek for truth in other quarters the better for you. 

I repeat, then, that, by the original compact of the Government, the 
United States had certain rights in Georgia which have never been relin- 
quished, and never will be; that the South began war by seizing forts, 
arsenals, mints, custom-houses, &c, &c, long before Mr. Lincoln was 
installed, and before the South had one jot or tittle of provocation. I, 
myself, have seen in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, hun- 
dreds and thousands of women and children fleeing from your armies and 
desperadoes, hungry and with bleeding feet. In Memphis, Vicksburg, and 
Mississippi, we fed thousands upon thousands of the families of rebel sol- 
diers left on our hands, and whom we could not see starve. Now that war 
comes home to you, you feel very different — you deprecate its horrors, but 
did not feel them when you sent car-loads of soldiers, and ammunition, 
and moulded shell and shot to carry war into Kentucky and Tennessee, 
and desolate the homes of hundreds and thousands of good people, who 
only asked to live in peace at their old homes, and under the Government 
of their inheritance. But these comparisons are idle. I want peace, and 
believe it can only be reached through Union and war, and I will ever 
conduct war purely with a view to perfect and early success. 

But, my dear sirs, when that peace does come, you may call on me for 
any thing. Then will I share with you the last cracker, and watch with 
you to shield your homes and families against dangers from every quarter. 
Now you must go, and take with you the old and feeble ; feed and nurse 
them, and build for them in more quiet places proper habitations to shield 
them against the weather, until the mad passions of men cool down, and 
allow the Union and peace once more to settle on your old homes at 
Atlanta. 

Yours, in haste, W. T. Sherimajv, Major-General. 

Atlanta, Ga., September 20, 1864. 
On leaving Atlanta, I should return my thanks to General Sherman, 
General Slocum, General Ward, Colonel Colburn, Major Peck, Captain 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



619 



Mott, Captain Stewart, Captain Flagg, and all the other officers with whom 
I have had business transactions in carrying out the order of General 
Sherman for the removal of the citizens, and in transacting my private 
business, for their kindness and their patience in answering the many 
inquiries I had to make on the duration of the delicate and arduous duties 
devolving on me as Mayor of this city. 

Respectfully, Jas. M. Calhoun. 



FROM ATLANTA TO SAVANNAH, THROUGH THE HEART OF 

GEORGIA. 

Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, I 
In the Field, Savannah, Ga., January 1, 1865. s 

Major-General H. W. Halleck, Chief of Staff, Washington City, D. C. : — 

Geneeal : — I have the honor to offer my report of the operations of 
the armies under my command since the occupation of Atlanta, in the 
early part of September last, up to the present date. 

As heretofore reported, in the month of September, the Army of the 
Cumberland, Major-General Thomas commanding, held the city of Atlanta; 
the Army of the Tennessee, Major-General Howard commanding, was 
grouped about East Point; and the Army of the Ohio, Major-General 
Schofield commanding, held Decatur. Many changes occurred in the com- 
position of those armies, in consequence of the expiration of the time of 
service of many of the regiments. The opportunity was given to us to 
consolidate the fragments, reclothe and equip the men, and make prepara- 
tions for the future campaign. I also availed myself of the occasion to 
strengthen the garrisons to our rear, to make our communications more 
secure, and sent Wagner's division of the Fourth Corps and Morgan's divi- 
sion of the Fourteenth Corps back to Chattanooga, and Corse's division of 
the Fifteenth Corps to Rome. Also a thorough reconnoissance was made 
of Atlanta, and a new line of works begun, which required a small garrison 
to hold. 

During this month the enemy, whom we had left at Lovejoy's Station, 
moved westward toward the Chattahoochie, taking position facing us, and 
covering the West Point Railroad, about Palmetto Station. He also threw 
a pontoon bridge across the Chattahoochie, and sent cavalry detachments 
to the west, in the directionof Carrolton and Powder Springs. About the 
same time President Davis visited Macon and his army at Palmetto, and 
made harangues referring to an active campaign against us. Hood still 
remained in command of the Confederate forces, with Cheatham, S. D. Lee, 
and Stewart, commanding his three corps, and Wheeler in command of his 
cavalry, which had been largely re-enforced. 

My cavalry consisted of two divisions. One was stationed at Decatur, 
under command of Brigadier-General Garrard ; the other, commanded by 
Brigadier-General Kilpatrick, w T as posted near Sandtown, with a pontoon 



620 



LITE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



bridge over the Chattahoochie, from which he could watch any movement 
of the enemy toward the west. 

As soon as I became convinced that the enemy intended to assume the 
offensive, namely, September 28, I sent Major-General Thomas, second in 
command, to Nashville, to organize the new troops expected to arrive, and 
to make preliminary preparations to meet such an event. 

About the 1st of October some of the enemy's cavalry made their ap- 
pearance on the west of the Chattahoochie, and one of his infantry corps 
was reported near Powder Springs, and I received authentic intelligence 
that the rest of his infantry was crossing to the west of the Chattahoochie. 
I at once made my orders that Atlanta and the Chattahoochie railroad- 
bridge should be held by the Twentieth Corps, Major-General Slocum; 
and on the 4th of October put in motion the Fifteenth and Seventeenth 
Corps, and the Fourth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-third Corps to Smyrna 
camp-ground, and on the 5th moved to the strong position about Kenesaw. 
The enemy's cavalry had, by a rapid movement, got upon our railroad at 
Big Shanty, and broken the line of telegraph and railroad, and, with a 
division of infantry (French's) had moved against Allatoona, where were 
stored about a million of rations. Its redoubts were garrisoned by three 
small regiments under Colonel Tourtellotte, Fourth Minnesota. 

I had anticipated this movement, and had, by signal and telegraph, 
ordered General Corse to re-enforce that post from Pome. General Corse 
had reached Allatoona with a brigade during the night of the 4th, just in 
time to meet the attack by French's division on the morning of the 5th. 
In person I reached Kenesaw Mountain, about 10 a. m., of the 5th, and 
could see the smoke of battle, and hear the faint sounds of artillery. The 
distance, eighteen miles, was too great for me to make in time to share in 
the battle, but I directed the Twenty-third Corps, Brigadier-General Cox 
commanding, to move rapidly from the base of Kenesaw, due west, aiming 
to reach the road from Allatoona to Dallas, threatening the rear of the 
forces attacking Allatoona. I succeeded in getting a signal message to 
General Corse during his fight, notifying him of my presence. The defense 
of Allatoona by General Corse was admirably conducted, and the enemy 
repulsed with heavy slaughter. His description of the defense is so graphic 
that it leaves nothing for me to add ; and the movement of General Cox 
had the desired effect of causing the withdrawal of French's division 
rapidly in the direction of Dallas. 

On the 6th and 7th I pushed my cavalry well toward Burnt Hickory 
and Dallas, and discovered that the enemy had moved westward, and 
inferred that he would attempt to break our railroad again in the neighbor- 
hood of Kingston. Accordingly, on the morning of the 8th, I put the 
army in motion through Allatoona Pass to Kingston, reaching that point 
on the 10th. There I learned that the enemy had feigned on Rome, and 
was passing the Coosa River on a pontoon bridge, about eleven miles 
below Rome. I therefore, on the 11th, moved to Rome, and pushed Gar- 
rard's cavalry and the Twenty-third Corps, under General Cox, across the 
Oostenaula, to threaten the flanks of the enemy passing north. Garrard's 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



621 



cavalry drove a cavalry brigade of the enemy to and beyond the Narrows, 
leading into the valley of the Chattooga, capturing two field-pieces. The 
enemy had moved with great rapidity, and made his appearance at Resaca, 
aud Hood had in person demanded its surrender. 

I had from Kingston re-enforced Resaca by two regiments of the army 
of the Tennessee. I at first intended to move the army into the Chattooga 
Valley, to interpose between the enemy and his line of retreat down the 
Coosa, but feared that General Hood would in that event turn eastward by 
Spring Place, and down the Federal road, and therefore moved against 
him at Resaca. Colonel Weaver, at Resaca, afterward re-enforced by 
General Raum's brigade, had repulsed the enemy from Resaca ; but he had 
succeeded in breaking the railroad from Filton to Dalton, and as far north 
as the tunnel. Arriving at Resaca on the evening of the 14th, I deter- 
mined to strike Hood in flank, or force him to battle, and directed the 
Army of tht Tennessee, General Howard, to move to Snake Creek Gap, 
which was held by the enemy, while General Stanley, with the Fourth 
and Fourteenth Corps, moved by Tilton across the mountains to the rear 
of Snake Creek Gap. in the neighborhood of Yillanow. 

The Army of the Tennessee found the enemy occupying our old lines 
in Snake Creek Gap, and on the 15th skirmished for the purpose of hold- 
ing him there until Stanley could get to his rear. But the enemy gave way 
about noon, and was followed through the Gap, escaping before General 
Stanley had reached the further end of the pass. The next day (the 16th) 
the armies moved directly toward Lafayette, with a view to cut off 
Hood's retreat. We found him intrenched in Ship's Gap. but the leading 
division (Wood's) of the Fifteenth Corps rapidly carried the advanced 
posts held by two companies of a South Carolina regiment, making them 
prisoners. The remaining eight companies escaped to the main body near 
Lafayette. The next morning we passed over into the valley of the 
Chattooga, the Army of the Tennessee moving in pursuit by Lafayette and 
Alpine, toward Blue Pond, the Army of the Cumberland by Summerville 
and Melville Post-office to Gaylesville, and the army of the Ohio and Gar- 
rard's cavalry from Yillanow, Dirttown, and Cover's Gap, to Gaylesville. 
Hood, however, was little incumbered with trains, and marched with 
great rapidity, and had succeeded in getting into the narrow gorge formed 
by the Lookout range abutting against the Coosa River in the neighbor- 
hood of Gadsden. He evidently wanted to avoid a fight. 

On the 19th all the armies were grouped about Gaylesville, in the rich 
valley of the Chattooga, abounding in corn and meat, and I determined to 
pause in my pursuit of the enemy, to watch his movements and live on the 
country. I hoped that Hood would turn toward Guntersville and Bridge- 
port. The Army of the Tennessee was posted near Little River, with 
instructions to feel forward in support of the cavalry, which was ordered 
to watch Hood in the neighborhood of Will's Valley, and to give me the 
earliest notice possible of his turning northward. The Army of the Ohio 
was posted at Cedar Bluff, with orders to lay a pontoon across the Coosa, 
and to feel forward to Centre, and down in the direction of Blue Xloun- 



622 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



tain. The Army of the Cumberland was held in reserve at Gaylesville, 
and all the troops were instructed to draw heavily for supplies from the 
surrounding country. In the mean time communications were opened to 
Rome, and a heavy force set to work in repairing the damages done to our 
railroads. Atlanta was abundantly supplied with provisions, but forage 
was scarce, and General Slocum was instructed to send strong foraging 
parties out in the direction of South River, and collect all the corn and 
fodder possible, and to put his own trains in good condition for further 
service. 

Hood's movements and strategy had demonstrated that he had an army 
capable of endangering at all times my communications, 'but unable to 
meet me in open fight. To follow him would simply amount to being 
decoyed away from Georgia, with little prospect of overtaking and over- 
whelming him. To remain on the defensive would have been bad policy 
for an army of so great value as the one I then commanded, and I was 
forced to adopt a course more fruitful in results than the naked one of fol- 
lowing him to the Southwest. I had previously submitted to the Com- 
mander-in-Chief a general plan, which amounted substantially to the de- 
struction of Atlanta, and the railroad back to Chattanooga, and sallying 
forth from Atlanta, through the heart of Georgia, to capture one or more 
of the great Atlantic seaports. This I renewed from Gaylesville, modified 
somewhat by the change of events. 

On the 26th of October, satisfied that Hood had moved westward from 
Gadsden across Sand Mountain, I detached the Fourth Corps, Major- 
General Stanley, and ordered him to proceed to Chattanooga, and report 
to Major-General Thomas, at Nashville. Subsequently, on the 30th of 
October, I also detached the Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield, 
with the same destination, and delegated to Major-General Thomas full 
power over all the troops subject to my command, except the four corps 
with which I designed to move into Georgia. This gave him the two divi- 
sions under A. J. Smith, then in Missouri, but en route for Tennessee; the 
two corps named, and all the garrisons in Tennessee, as also all the cavalry 
of my military division, except one division under Brigadier-General Ejl- 
patrick, which was ordered to rendezvous at Marietta. Brevet Major- 
General Wilson had arrived from the Army of the Potomac, to assume 
command of the cavalry of my army, and I dispatched him back to Nash- 
ville, with all dismounted detachments, and orders as rapidly as possible to 
collect the cavalry serving in Kentucky and Tennessee, to mount, organize, 
and equip them, and report to Major-General Thomas for duty. These 
forces I judged would enable General Thomas to defend the railroad from 
Chattanooga back, including Nashville and Decatur, and give him an army 
with which he could successfully cope with Hood, should the latter cross 
the Tennessee northward. 

By the 1st of November, Hood's array had moved from Gadsden, and 
made its appearance in the neighborhood of Decatur, where a feint was 
made ; he then passed on to Tuscumbia and laid a pontoon bridge opposite 
Florence. I then began my preparations for the march through Georgia, 



MAJOR- GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



623 



having received the sanction of the Commander-in-Chief for carrying into 
effect my plan, the details of which were explained to all my corps com- 
manders and heads of staff departments, with strict injunctions of secrecy. 
I had also communicated full details to General Thomas, and had informed 
him I would not leave the neighborhood of Kingston until he felt perfectly 
confident that he was entirely prepared to cope with Hood, should he 
carry into effect his threatened invasion of Tennessee and Kentucky. I 
estimated Hood's force at thirty-five thousand infantry and ten thousand 
cavalry. 

I moved the Army of the Tennessee by slow and easy marches, on the 
south of the Coosa, back to the neighborhood of Smyrna camp-ground, and 
the Fourteenth Corps, General Jeff. C. Davis, to Kingston, whither I 
repaired in person on the 2d of November. From that point I directed all 
surplus artillery, all baggage not needed for my contemplated march, all 
the sick and wounded, refugees, etc., to be sent back to Chattanooga ; and 
the four corps above mentioned, with Kilpatrick's cavalry, were put in the 
most efficient condition possible for a long and difficult march. This ope- 
ration consumed the time until the 11th of November, when, every thing 
being ready, I ordered General Corse, who still remained at Rome, to 
destroy the bridges there, all foundries, mills, shops, warehouses, or other 
property that could be useful to an enemy, and to move to Kingston. At 
the same time the railroad in and about Atlanta, and between the Etowah 
and the Chattahoochie, was ordered to be utterly destroyed. 

The garrisons from Kingston northward were also ordered to draw 
back to Chattanooga, taking with them all public property and all railroad 
stock, and to take up the rails from Resaca back, saving them, ready to be 
replaced whenever future interests should demand. The railroad between 
the Etowah and the Oostenaula was left untouched, because I thought 
it more than probable we would find it necessary to reoccupy the country 
as far forward as the line of the Etowah. Atlanta itself is only of strate- 
gic value as long as it is a railroad center ; and as all the railroads leading 
to it are destroyed, as well as all its foundries, machine-shops, warehouses, 
depots, etc., it is of no more value than any other point in North Georgia ; 
whereas the line of the Etowah, by reason of its rivers and natural fea- 
tures, possesses an importance which will always continue. From it all 
parts of Georgia and Alabama can be reached by armies marching with 
trains down the Coosa or the Chattahoochie valleys. 

On the 12th of November my army stood detached and cut off from all 
communication with the rear. It was composed of four corps, the Fif- 
teenth and Seventeenth, constituting the right wing, under Major-General 
O. 0. Howard; the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps, constituting the left 
wing, under Major-General H. W. Slocum — of an aggregate strength of 
sixty thousand infantry ; one cavalry division, in aggregate strength five 
thousand five hundred, under Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, and the 
artillery reduced to the minimum of one gun per thousand men. 

The whole force moved rapidly and grouped about Atlanta on the 14th of 
November. In the mean time Captain O. M. Foe had thoroughly destroyed 



624 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Atlanta, save its mere dwelling-bouses and churches, and the right wing, 
with General Kilpatrick'a cavalry, was put in motion in the direction of 
Jonesboro' and McDonough, with orders to make a strong feint on Macon, 
to cross the Ocmulgee above Planters's Mills, and rendezvous in the neigh- 
borhood of Gordon in seven days, exclusive of the day of march. On the 
same day General Slocum moved with the Twentieth Corps by Decatur and 
Stone Mountain, with orders to tear up the railroad from Social Circle 
to Madison, to burn the large and important railroad-bridge across the 
Oconee, east of Madison, and turn south and reach Milledgeville on the 
seventh day, exclusive of the day of march. 

In person I left Atlanta on the 16th, in company with the Fourteenth 
Corps, brevet Major-General Jeff. C. Davis, by Lithonia, Covington, and 
Shady Dale, directly on Milledgeville. All the troops were provided with 
good wagon-trains, loaded with ammunition, and supplies approximating 
twenty (lays' bread, forty days' sugar and coffee, a double allowance of 
salt, for forty days, and beef-cattle equal to forty days' supplies. The 
wagons were also supplied with about three days' forage in grain. All 
were instructed, by a judicious system of foraging, to maintain this order 
of things as long as possible, living chiefly, if not solely, upon the country, 
which I knew to abound in corn, sweet potatoes, and meats. 

My first object was, of course, to place my army in the very heart of 
Georgia, interposing between Macon and Augusta, and obliging the enemy 
to divide his forces to defend not only those points, but MUlen, Savannah, 
and Charleston. All my calculations were fully realized. During the 22d 
General Kilpatrick made a good feint on Macon, driving the enemy within 
his intrenchments, and theu drew back to Griswoldsville, where AValcott's 
brigade of infantry joined him to cover that flank, while Howard's trains 
were closing up, and his men scattered, breaking up railroads. The enemy 
came out of Macon and attacked Walcott in position, but was so roughly 
handled that he never rejjeated the experiment. On the eighth day after 
leaving Atlanta, namely, on the 23d, General Slocum occupied Milledgeville 
and the important bridge across the Oconee there; and Generals Howard 
and Kilpatrick were in and about Gordon. 

General Howard was then ordered to move eastward, destroying the 
railroad thoroughly in his progress as far as Tennille Station, opposite 
Sandersville, and General Slocum to move to Sandersville by two roads. 
General Kilpatrick was ordered to Milledgeville, and thence move rapidly 
eastward, to break the railroad which leads from Millen to Augusta, then 
to turn upon Millen and rescue our prisoners of war supposed to be con- 
fined at that place. I accompanied the Twentieth Corps from Milledgeville 
to Sandersville, approaching which place, on the 25th, we found the 
bridges across Buffalo Creek burned, which delayed us three hours. The 
next day we entered Sandersville, skirmishing with Wheeler's cavalry, 
which offered little opposition to the advance of the Twentieth and Four- 
teenth Corps, entering the place almost at the same moment. 

General Slocum was then ordered to tear up and destroy the Georgia 
Central Railroad, from Station No. 13 (Tennille) to Station No. 10, near 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



625 



the crossing of Ogeechee ; one of his corps substantially following the rail- 
road, the other by way of Louisville, in support of Kilpatrick's cavalry. 
In person I shifted to the right wing, and accompanied the Seventeenth 
Corps, General Blair, on the south of the railroad, till abreast of Station 
No. 9^ (Barton); General Howard, in person, with the Fifteenth Corps, 
keeping further to the right, and about one day's march ahead, ready to 
turn against the flank of any enemy who should oppose our progress. 

At Barton I learned that Kilpatrick's cavalry had reached the Augusta 
Railroad about Waynesborough, where he ascertained that our prisoners 
had been removed from Millen, and therefore the purpose of rescuing them, 
moon which we had set our hearts, was an impossibility. But as Wheeler's 
cavalry had hung around him, and as he had retired to Louisville to meet 
our infantry, in pursuance of my instructions not to risk a battle unless at 
great advantage, I ordered him to leave his wagons and all incumbrances 
with the left wing, and moving in the direction of Augusta, if Wheeler 
gave him the opportunity, to indulge him with all the fighting he wanted. 
General Kilpatrick, supported by Baird's division of infantry of the Four- 
teenth Corps, again moved in the direction of Waynesborough, and en- 
countering Wheeler in the neighborhood of Thomas's Station, attacked 
him in position, driving him from three successive lines of barricades 
handsomely through AVaynesborough and across Brier Creek, the bridges 
over which he burned; and then, with Baird's division, rejoined the left 
wing, which in the mean time had been marching by easy stages of ten 
miles a day in the direction of Lumpkin's Station and Jacksonboro'. 

The Seventeenth Corps took up the destruction of the railroad at the 
Ogeechee, near Station No. 10, and continued it to Millen; the enemy 
offering little or no opposition, although preparation had seemingly been 
made at Millen. 

On the 3d of December the Seventeenth Corps, which I accompanied, 
was at Millen ; the Fifteenth Corps, General Howard, was south of the 
Ogeechee, opposite Station No. 7 (Scarboro') ; the Twentieth Corps, Gene- 
ral Slocum, on the Augusta Railroad, about four miles north of Millen, 
near Buckhead Church ; and the Fourteenth Corps, General Jem C. Davis, 
in the neighborhood of Lumpkin's Station, on the Augusta Railroad. All 
were ordered to march in the direction of Savannah— the Fifteenth Corps 
to continue south of the Ogeechee, the Seventeenth to destroy the railroad 
as far as Ogeechee Church — and four days were allowed to reach the line 
from Ogeechee Church to the neighborhood of Halley's Ferry, on the 
Savannah River. All the columns reached their destinations in time, and 
continued to march on their several roads — General Davis following the 
Savannah River road, General Slocum the middle road by way of Spring- 
field, General Blair the railroad, and General Howard still south and west 
of the Ogeechee, with orders to cross to the east bank opposite "Eden 
Station," or Station No. 2. 

As we approached Savannah the country became more marshy and diffi- 
cult, and more obstructions were met, in tho way of felled trees, where the 
roads crossed the creek, swamps, or narrow causeways; but our pioneer 
40 



626 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



companies were well organized, and removed the obstructions in an in- 
credibly short time. No opposition from the enemy worth speaking of 
was encountered until the heads of columns were within fifteen miles of 
Savannah, where all the roads leading to the city were obstructed more or 
less by felled timber, with earthworks and artillery. But these were easily 
turned, and the enemy driven away, so that by the 10th of December the 
enemy was driven within his lines at Savannah. These followed substan- 
tially a swampy creek which empties into the Savannah River about three 
miles above the city, across to the head of a corresponding stream which 
empties into the Little Ogeechee. These streams were singularly favorable 
to the enemy as a cover, being very marshy, and bordered by rice-fields, 
which were flooded either by the tide-water or by inland ponds, the gates 
to which were controlled and covered by his heavy artillery. 

The only approaches to the city were by five narrow causeways, 
namely, the two railroads, and the Augusta, the Louisville, and the Ogee- 
chee dirt-roads; all of which were commanded by heavy ordnance, too 
strong for us to fight with our light field-guns. To assault an enemy of 
unknown strength, at such a disadvantage, appeared to me unwise, espe- 
cially as I had so successfully brought my army, almost unscathed, so great 
a distance, and could surely attain the same result by the operation of 
time. I therefore instructed my army commanders to closely invest the 
city from the north and west, and to reconnoiter well the ground in their 
fronts, respectively, while I gave my personal attention to opening com- 
munications with our fleet, which I knew was waiting for us in Tybee, 
Wassaw, and Ossabaw Sounds. 

In approaching Savannah, General Slocum struck the Charleston Rail- 
road near the bridge, and occupied the river-bank as his left flank, where 
he had captured two of the enemy's river-boats, and had prevented two 
others (gunboats) from coming down the river to communicate with the 
city; while General Howard, by his right flank, had broken the Gulf Rail- 
road at Fleming's and way stations, and occupied the railroad itself down 
to the Little Ogeechee, near "Station No. 1;" so that no supplies could 
reach Savannah by any of its accustomed channels. We, on the contrary, 
possessed large herds of cattle, which we had brought along or gathered in 
the country, and our wagons still contained a reasonable amount of bread- 
stuffs and other necessaries, and the fine rice-crops of the Savannah and 
Ogeechee Rivers furnished to our men and animals a large amount of rice 
and rice-straw. T\ T e also held the country to the south and west of the 
Ogeechee as foraging-ground. Still, communication with the fleet was of 
vital importance, and I directed General Kilpatrick to cross the Ogeechee 
by a pontoon-bridge, to reconnoiter Fort McAllister, and to proceed to 
Catherine's Sound, in the direction of Snnbury or Kilkenny Bluff, and open 
communication with the fleet. General Howard had previously, by my 
direction, sent one of his best scouts down the Ogeechee in a canoe for a 
like purpose. But more than this was necessary. We wanted the vessels 
and their contents ; and the Ogeechee River, a navigable stream, close to 
the rear of our camps, was the proper avenue of supply. 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



627 



The enemy had burned the road -bridge across the Ogeechee, just below 
the mouth of the Canoochee, known as " King's Bridge." This was re- 
constructed in an incredibly short time, in the most substantial manner, by 
the Fifty-eighth Indiana, Colonel Buel, under the direction of Captain 
Reese, of the Engineers Corps, and on the 13th of December the second 
division of the Fifteenth Corps, under command of Brigadier-General 
Hazen, crossed the bridge to the west bank of the Ogeechee, and marched 
down with orders to carry by assault Fort McAllister, a strong inclosed 
redoubt, manned by two companies of artillery and three of infantry, in 
all about two hundred men, and mounting twenty-three guns en barbette, 
and one mortar. General Hazen reached the vicinity of Fort McAllister 
about one p. m., deployed his division about that place, with both flanks rest- 
ing upon the river ; posted his skirmishers judiciously behind the trunks 
of trees whose branches had been used for abatis, and about five p. m. 
assaulted the place with nine regiments at three points ; all of them 
successfully. I witnessed the assault from a rice-mill on the opposite bank 
of the river, and can bear testimony to the handsome manner in which it 
was accomplished. 

Up to this time we had not communicated with our fleet. From the 
signal station at the rice-mill our officers had looked for two days over the 
rice-fields and salt marsh in the direction of Ossabaw Sound, but could see 
nothing of it ; but while watching the preparations for the assault on 
Fort McAllister, we discovered in the distance what seemed to be the 
smoke-stack of a steamer, which became more and more distinct, until, 
about the very moment of the assault, she was plainly visible below the 
fort, and our signal was answered. As soon as I saw our colors fairly 
planted upon the walls of Fort McAllister, in company with General 
Howard, I went in a small boat down to the fort and met General Hazen, 
who had not yet communicated with the gunboat below, as it was shut 
out to him by a point of timber. Determined to communicate that night, 
I got another small boat and a crew, and pulled down the river till I found 
the tug Dandelion, Captain "Williamson, United States Navy, who informed 
me that Captain Duncan, who had been sent by General Howard, had 
succeeded in reaching Admiral Dahlgren and General Foster, and that he 
was expecting them hourly in Ossabaw Sound. After making communica- 
tions to those officers, and a short communication to the War Department, 
I returned to Fort McAllister that night, and before daylight was overtaken 
by Major Strong, of General Foster's staff, advising me that General Foster 
had arrived in the Ogeechee, near Fort McAllister, and was very anxiou3 
to meet me on board his boat. I accordingly returned with him, and met 
General Foster on board the steamer Nemaha; and, after consultation, 
determined to proceed with him down the Sound, in hopes to meet 
Admiral Dahlgren. But we did not meet him until we reached Wassaw 
Sound, about noon. I there went on board the admiral's flagship, the 
Harvest Moon, after having arranged with General Foster to send us from 
Hilton Head some siege ordnance and some boats suitable for navigating 
the Ogeechee River. Adiniral Dahlgren very kindly furnished me with all 



628 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the data concerning his fleet and the numerous forts that guarded the 
inland channels between the sea and Savannah. I explained to him how 
completely Savannah was invested at all points, save only the plank-road 
on the South Carolina shore, known as the "Union Causeway," which I 
thought I could reach from my left flank across the Savannah River. I 
explained to him that if he would simply engage the attention of the forts 
along Wilmington Channel, at Beaulieu and Rosedew, I thought I could 
carry the defenses of Savannah by assault as soon as the heavy ord- 
nance arrived from Hilton Head. On the loth the admiral carried me 
back to Fort McAllister, whence I returned to our lines in the rear of 
Savannah. 

Having received and carefully considered all the reports of division 
commanders, I determined to assault the lines of the enemy as soon as my 
heavy ordnance came from Port Royal, first making a formal demand for 
surrender. On the 17th, a number of thirty-pounder Parrott guns having 
reached King's Bridge, I proceeded in person to the head-quarters of 
Major-General Slocum, on the Augusta road, and dispatched thence into 
Savannah, by flag of truce, a formal demand for the surrender of the 
place, and on the following day received an answer from General Hardee 
refusing to surrender. 

In the mean time farther reconnoissances from our left flank had 
demonstrated that it was impracticable or unwise to push any considerable 
force across the Savannah River, for the enemy held the river opposite the 
city with iron-clad gunboats, and could destroy any pontoons laid down 
by us between Hutchinson's Island and the South Carolina shore, which 
would isolate any force sent over from that flank. I therefore ordered 
General Slocum to get into position the siege guns, and make all the prep- 
arations necessary to assault, and report to me the earliest moment when 
he could be ready, while I should proceed rapidly round by the right, and 
make arrangements to occupy the Union Causeway from the direction of 
Port Royal. General Foster had already established a division of troops 
on the peninsula or neck between the Coosawhatchie and Tullifinney Rivers, 
at the head of Broad River, from which position he could reach the rail- 
road with his artillery. 

I went to Port Royal in person, and made arrangements to re-enforco 
that command by one or more divisions, under a proper officer, to assault 
and carry the railroad, and thence turn toward Savannah, until it occupied 
the causeway in question. I went on board the admiral's flag-ship, the 
Harvest Moon, which put out to sea the night of the 20th. But the wind 
was high, and increased during the night, so that the pilot judged Ossabaw 
Bar impassable, and ran into the Tybee, whence we proceeded through 
the inland channels into Wassaw Sound, and thence through Romney 
Marsh. But the ebb-tide caught the Harvest Moon, and she was unable to 
make the passage. Admiral Dablgren took me in his barge, and pulling in 
the direction of Vernon River, we met the army-tug Red Legs, bearing a 
message from my adjutant, Captain Dayton, of that morning, the 21st, to 
the effect that our troops were in possession of the enemy's lines, and were 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



629 



advancing without opposition into Savannah, 'the enemy having evacuated 
the place during the previous night. 

Admiral Dahlgren proceeded up the Vernon River in his barge, while I 
transferred to the tug, in which I proceeded to Fort McAllister, and thence 
to the rice-mill, and on the morning of the 22d rode into the city of 
Savannah, already occupied by our troops. 

I was very much disappointed that Hardee had escaped with his garri- 
son, and had to content myself with the material fruits of victory without 
the cost of life which would have attended a general assault. The substan- 
tial results will be more clearly set forth in the tabular statements of heavy 
ordnance and other public property acquired, and it will suffice here to 
state that the important city of Savannah, with its valuable harbor and 
river, was the chief object of the campaign. With it we acquire all the 
forts and heavy ordnance in its vicinity, with large stores of ammunition, 
shot and shells, cotton, rice, and other valuable products of the country. 
We also gain locomotives and cars, which, though of little use to us in the 
present condition of the railroads, are a serious loss to the enemy ; as well 
as four steamboats gained, and the loss to the enemy of the iron-clad 
Savannah, one ram, and three transports, blown up or burned by them the 
night before. 

Formal demand having been made for the surrender, and having been 
refused, I contend that every thing within the line of intrenchments 
belongs to the United States ; and I shall not hesitate to use it, if neces- 
sary, for public purposes. But inasmuch as the inhabitants generally 
have manifested a friendly disposition, I shall disturb them as little as 
possible, consistently with the military rights of present and future 
military commanders, without remitting in the least our just rights as 
captors. 

After having made the necessary orders for the disposition of the troops 
in and about Savannah, I ordered Captain 0. M. Poe, chief engineer, to 
make a thorough examination of the enemy's works in and about Savan- 
nah, with a view to making it conform to our future uses. New lines of 
defenses will be built, embracing the city proper, Forts Jackson, Thunder- 
bolt, and Pulaski retained, with slight modifications in their armament and 
rear defenses. All the rest of the enemy's forts will be dismantled and 
destroyed, and their heavy ordnance transferred to Hilton Head, where it 
can be more easily guarded. Our base of supplies will be established in 
Savannah, as soon as the very difficult obstructions placed in the river can 
be partially removed. These obstructions at present offer a very serious 
impediment to the commerce of Savannah, consisting of crib-work of logs 
and timber heavily bolted together, and filled with the cobble-stones which 
formerly paved the streets of Savannah. All the channels below the city 
were found more or less filled with torpedoes, which have been removed 
by order of Admiral Dahlgren, so that Savannah already fulfills the im- 
portant part it was designed in our plans for the future. 

In thus sketching the course of events connected with this campaign, I 
have purposely passed lightly over the march from Atlanta to the sea-shore, 



630 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



because it was made in four or more columns,, sometimes at a distance of 
fifteen or twenty miles from each other, and it was impossible for me to 
attend but one. Therefore, I have left it to the army and corps com- 
manders to describe in their own language the events which attended the 
march of their respective columns. These reports are herewith submitted, 
and I beg to refer to them for further details. I would merely sum up the 
advantages which I conceive have accrued to us by this march. 

Our former labors in North Georgia had demonstrated the truth that 
no large army, carrying with it the necessary stores and baggage, can 
overtake and capture an inferior force of the enemy in his own country. 
Therefore, no alternative was left me bat the one I adopted, namely, to 
divide my forces, and with one part act offensively against the enemy's 
resources, while with the other I should act defensively, and invite the 
enemy to attack, risking the chances of battle. In this conclusion I have 
been singularly sustained by the results. General Hood, who, as I have 
heretofore described, had moved to the westward near Tuscumbia, with a 
view to decoy me away from Georgia, finding himself mistaken, was forced 
to choose, either to pursue me or to act offensively against the other part 
left in Tennessee. He adopted the latter course ; and General Thomas has 
wisely and well fulfilled his part in the grand scheme, in drawing Hood 
well up into Tennessee, until he could concentrate all his own troops 
and then turn upon Hood, as he has done, and destroy or fatally cripple 
his army. That part of my army is so far removed from me, that I 
leave, with perfect confidence, its management and history to General 
Thomas. 

I was thereby left with a well-appointed army to sever the enemy's 
only remaining railroad communications eastward and westward, for over 
one hundred miles, namely, the Georgia State Railroad, which is broken 
up from Fairburn Station to Madison and the Oconee, and the Central Rail- 
road from Gordon clear to Savannah, with numerous breaks on the latter 
road from Gordon to Eatonton, and from Millen to Augusta, and the Sa- 
vannah and Gulf Railroad. We have also consumed the corn and fodder 
in the region of country thirty miles on oither side of a line from Atlanta 
to Savannah ; as also the sweet potatoes, cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry, 
and have carried away more than ten thousand horses and mules, as well 
as a countless number of their slaves. I estimate the damage done to 
the State of Georgia and its military resources at one hundred million 
dollars, at least twenty millions of which have inured to our advantage, 
and the remainder is simple waste and destruction. This may seem a hard 
species of warfare, but it brings the sad realities of war home to those who 
have been directly or indirectly instrumental in involving us in its attendant 
calamities. 

This campaign has also placed this branch of my army in a position 
from which other great military results may be attempted, besides leaving 
in Tennessee and North Alabama a force which is amply sufficient to meet 
all the chances of war in that region of our country. 

Since the capture of Atlanta, my staff is unchanged, save that General 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



631 



Barry, chief of artillery, has been absent sick since our leaving Kingston. 
Surgeon Moore, United States Army, is chief medical director, in place of 
Surgeon Kittoe, relieved to resume his proper duties as a medical inspector. 
Major Hitchcock, A. A.-G-., has also been added to my staff, and has been 
of great assistance in the field and office. Captain Dayton still remains as 
my adjutant-general. All have, as formerly, fulfilled their parts to my 
entire satisfaction. 

In the body of my army I feel a just pride. Generals Howard and 
Slocum are gentlemen of singular capacity and intelligence, thorough 
soldiers and patriots, working day and night, not for themselves, but for 
their country and their men. General Kilpatrick, who commanded the 
cavalry of this army, has handled it with spirit and dash, to my entire 
satisfaction, and kept a superior force of the enemy's cavalry from even 
approaching our infantry columns or wagon-trains. His report is full and 
graphic. All the division and brigade commanders merit my personal and 
official thanks, and I shall spare no efforts to secure them commissions 
equal to the rank they have exercised so well. As to the rank and file, 
they seem so full of confidence in themselves, that I doubt if they want a 
compliment from me ; but I must do them the justice to say that, whether 
called on to fight, to march, to wade streams, to make roads, clear out 
obstructions, build bridges, make "corduroy," or tear up railroads, they 
have done it with alacrity and a degree of cheerfulness unsurpassed. A 
little loose in foraging, they " did some things they ought not to have 
done," yet, on the whole, they have supplied the wants of the army with 
as little violence as could be expected, and as little loss as I calculated. 
Some of these foraging parties had encounters with the enemy, which 
would, in ordinary times, rank as respectable battles. The behavior of 
our troops in Savannah has been so manly, so quiet, so perfect, that I take 
it as the best evidence of discipline and true courage. Never was a hostile 
city, filled with women and children, occupied by a large army with less 
disorder, or more system, order, and good government. The same general 
and generous spirit of confidence and good feeling pervades the army, 
which it has ever afforded me special pleasure to report on former occa- 
sions. 

I avail myself of this occasion to express my heart-felt thanks to Ad- 
miral Dahlgren, and the officers and men of his fleet, as also to General 
Foster and his command, for the hearty welcome given us on our arrival 
at the coast, and for their steady and prompt co-operation in all measures 
tending to the result accomplished. 

I send herewith a map of the country through which we have passed ; 
reports from General Howard, General Slocum, and General Kilpatrick, 
and their subordinates respectively ; with the usual lists of captured prop- 
erty, killed, wounded, and missing, prisoners of war taken and rescued ; 
as also copies of all papers illustrating the campaign. All of which are 
respectfully submitted by 

Your obedient servant, 

W. T. Sheeman, Major-General. 



632 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



FROM SAVANNAH TO GOLDSBORO', THROUGH THE 
CAROLINAS. 

HEArnQUATLTEKS MlLITAEY DIVISION OP THE MISSISSIPPI, ) 

GoLDSBorvO 1 , N. C, April 4, 1865. S 

General: — I must now endeavor to group the events of the past three 
months connected with the armies under my command, in order that you 
may have as clear an understanding of the late campaign as the case admits 
of. The reports of the subordinate commanders will enable you to fill up 
the picture. 

I have heretofore explained, how, in the progress of our arms, I was 
enabled to leave in the West an army under Major-General George H. 
Thomas, of sufficient strength to meet emergencies in that quarter, while in 
person I conducted another army, composed of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, 
Seventeenth, and Twentieth Corps, and Kilpatrick's division of cavalry, to 
the Atlantic slope, aiming to approach the grand theater of war in Vir- 
ginia, by the time the season would admit of military operations in that 
latitude. The first lodgment on the coast was made at Savannah, strongly 
fortified and armed, and valuable to us as a good seaport, with its navigable 
stream inland. Near a month was consumed there in refitting the army, 
and in making the proper disposition of captured property, and other local 
matters; but by the 15th of January I was all ready to resume the march. 
Preliminary to this, General Howard, commanding the right wing, was 
ordered to embark his command at Thunderbolt, transport it to Beaufort, 
South Carolina, and thence, by the 15th of January, make a lodgment on 
the Charleston Railroad, at or near Pocotaligo. This was accomplished 
punctually, at little cost, by the Seventeenth Corps, Major-General Blair, 
and a depot for supplies was established near the mouth of Pocotaligo 
Creek, with easy water communication back to Hilton Head. 

The left wing, Major-General Slocum, and the cavalry, Major-General 
Kil patrick, were ordered to rendezvous about the same time near Roberts- 
ville and Coosawhatchie, South Carolina, with a depot of supplies at Pureys- 
burg or Sister's Ferry, on the Savannah River. General Slocum had a 
good pontoon bridge constructed opposite the city, and the " Union Cause- 
way," leading through the low rice-fields opposite Savannah, was repaired 
and "corduroyed." But, before the time appointed to start, the heavy 
rains of January had swelled the river, broken the pontoon bridge, and 
overflowed the whole "bottom," so that the causeway was four feet under 
water, and General Slocum was compelled to look higher up for a passage 
over the Savannah River. He moved up to Sister's Ferry, but even there 
the river, with its overflowed bottoms, was near three miles wide, and he 
did not succeed in getting his whole wing across until during the first week 
of February. 

In the mean time, General Grant had sent me Grover's division of the 
Nineteenth Corps to garrison Savannah, and had drawn the Twenty-third 
Corps, Major-General Schofield, from Tennessee, and sent it to re-enforce 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



633 



the commands of Major-Generals Terry and Palmer, operating on the coast 
of Forth Carolina, to prepare the way for my coming. 

On the 18th of January I transferred the forts and city of Savannah to 
Major-General Foster, commanding the Department of the South, imparted 
to him my plans of operation, and instructed him how to follow my move- 
ments inland, hy occupying in succession the city of Charleston and such 
other points along the seacoast as would be of any military value to us. 
The combined naval and land forces under Admiral Porter and General 
Terry had, on the loth of January, captured Fort Fisher and the rebel forts 
at the mouth of Cape Fear River, giving me an additional point of security 
on the seacoast. But I had already resolved in my own mind, and had so 
advised General Grant, that I would undertake at one stride to make 
Goldsboro', and open communication with the sea by the Newbern Rail- 
road, and had ordered Colonel W. W. Wright, superintendent of military 
railroads, to proceed in advance to in ewbern, and to be prepared to extend 
the railroad out from jSTewbern to Goldsboro' by the 15th of March. On 
the 10th of January all preparations were complete, and the orders of 
march given. My chief quartermaster and commissary, Generals Easton 
and Beckwith, were ordered to complete the supplies at Sister's Ferry and 
Pocotaligo, and then to follow our movement coastwise, looking for my 
arrival at Goldsboro', Xorth Carolina, about March 15th, and opening com- 
munication with me from Morehead City. 

On the 22d of January I embarked at Savannah for Hilton Head, where 
I he'd a conference with Admiral Dahlgren, United States ISTavy, and 
Major-General Foster, commanding the Department of the South, and next 
day proceeded to Beaufort, riding out thence on the 24th to Pocotaligo, 
•where the Seventeenth Corps, Major-General Blair was encamped. The 
Fifteenth Corps was somewhat scattered — Wood's and Hazen's divisions at 
Beaufort, John E. Smith marching from Savannah by the coast road, and 
Corse still at Savannah, cut off by the storms and freshet in the river. On 
the 25th a demonstration was made against the Combahee Ferry and rail- 
road-bridge across the Salkehatchie, merely to amuse the enemy, who had 
evidently adopted that river as his defensive line against our supposed ob- 
jective, the city of Charleston. I reconnoitered the line in person, and saw 
that the heavy rains had swollen the river so that water stood in the 
swamps, for a breadth of more than a mile, at a depth of from one to twen- 
ty feet. !Not having the remotest intention of approaching Charleston, a 
comparatively small force was able, by seeming preparations to cross over, 
to keep in their front a considerable force of the enemy disposed to contest 
onr advance on Charleston. On the 27th I rode to the camp of General 
Hatch's division of Foster's command, on the Tullifinney and Coosawhat- 
chie Rivers, and directed those places to be evacuated, as no longer of any 
use to us. That division was then moved to Pocotaligo to keep up the 
feints already begun, until we should with the right wing move higher up 
and cross the Salkehatchie about Rivers's, or Broxton's Bridge. On the 29th 
I learned that the roads back of Savannah had at last become sufficiently 
free of the flood to admit of General Slocum putting his wing in motion, 



634 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and that he was already approaching Sister's Ferry, whither a gunboat, the 
Pontiac, Captain Luce, kindly furnished by Admiral Dahlgren, had pre- 
ceded him to cover the crossing. In the mean time, three divisions of the 
Fifteenth Corps had closed up at Pocotaligo, and the right wing had loaded 
its wagons and was ready to start. I therefore directed General Howard 
to move one corps, the Seventeenth, along the Salkehatchie, as high up as 
Rivers's Bridge, and the other, the Fifteenth, by Hickory Hill, Loper's 
Cross-roads, Anglesey Post-office, and Beaufort's Bridge. Hatch's division 
was ordered to remain at Pocotaligo, feigning at the Salkehatchie railroad- 
bridge and ferry, until our movement turned the enemy's position and 
forced him to fall behind the Edisto. 

The Seventeenth and Fifteenth Corps drew out of camp on the 31st of 
January, but the real march began on the 1st of February. All the roads 
northward had for weeks been held by Wheeler's cavalry, who had by de- 
tails of negro laborers felled trees, burned bridges, and made obstructions 
to impede our march. But so well organized were our pioneer battalions, 
and so strong and intelligent our men, that obstructions seemed only to 
quicken their progress. Felled trees were removed and bridges rebuilt by 
the heads of columns before the rear could close up. On the 2d of Febru- 
ary the Fifteenth Corps reached Loper's Cross-roads, and the Seventeenth 
was at Rivers's Bridge. From Loper's Cross-roads I communicated with. 
General Slocum, still struggling with the floods of the Savannah River at 
Sister's Ferry. He had two divisions of the Twentieth Corps, General 
Williams, on the east bank, and was enabled to cross over on his pontoons 
the cavalry of Kilpatrick. General Williams was ordered to Beaufort's 
Bridge, by way of Lawtonville and Allendale, Kilpatrick to Blackville via 
Barnwell, and General Slocum to hurry the crossing at Sister's Ferry as 
much as possible, and overtake the right wing on the South Carolina Rail- 
road. General Howard, with the right wing, was directed to cross the 
Salkehatchie and push rapidly for the South Carolina Railroad, at or near 
Midway. The enemy held the line of the Salkehatchie in force, having in- 
fantry and artillery intrenched at Rivers's and Beaufort's Bridges. The 
Seventeenth Corps was ordered to carry Rivers's Bridge, and the Fifteenth 
Corps Beaufort's Bridge. The former position was carried promptly and 
skillfully by Mower's and Giles A. Smith's division of the Seventeenth 
Corps, on the 3d of February, by crossing the swamp, nearly three miles 
wide, with water varying from knee to shoulder deep. The weather was 
bitter cold, and Generals Mower and Smith led their divisions in person, 
on foot, waded the swamp, made a lodgment below the bridge, and turned 
on the rebel brigade which guarded it, driving it in confusion and disorder 
toward Branchville. Our casualties were one officer and seventeen men 
killed, and seventy men wounded, who were sent to Pocotaligo. The line 
of the Salkehatchie being thus broken, the enemy retreated at once behind 
the Edisto, at Branchville, and the whole army was pushed rapidly to the 
South Carolina Railroad at Midway, Bamberg (or Lowry's Station), and 
Graham's Station. The Seventeenth Corps by threatening Branchville, 
forced the enemy to burn the railroad bridge, and Walker's Bridge below, 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



635 



across tlie Edisto. AJ1 haads were at once set to work to destroy railroad 
track. From the 7th to the 10th of February this work was thoroughly 
prosecuted by the Seventeenth Corps from the Edisto up to Bamberg, and 
by the Fifteenth Corps from Bamberg up to Blackville. In the mean time 
General Kilpatrick had brought his cavalry rapidly by Barnwell to Black- 
ville, and had turned toward Aiken, with orders to threaten Augusta, but 
not to be drawn needlessly into a serious battle. This he skillfully ac- 
complished, skirmishing heavily with Wheeler's cavalry, first at Blackville, 
and afterward at Williston and Aiken. General Williams, with two divi- 
sions of the Twentieth Corps, marched to the South Carolina Railroad at 
Graham's Station, on the 8th, and General Slocum reached Blackville on 
the 10th. The destruction of the railroad was continued by the left wing 
from Blackville up to Windsor. By the 11th of February all the army was 
on the railroad from Midway to Johnson's Station, thereby dividing the 
enemy's forces, which still remained at Branchville and Charleston on the 
one hand, Aiken and Augusta on the other. 

We then began the movement on Orangeburg. The Seventeenth Corps 
crossed the South Fork of Edisto River at Binnaker's Bridge, and moved 
straight for Orangeburg, while the Fifteenth Corps crossed at Holman's 
Bridge and moved to Poplar Springs in support. The left wing and cavalry 
were still at work on the railroad, with orders to cross the South Edisto at 
New and Guignard's Bridges, move to the Orangeburg and Edgefield road, 
and there await the result of the attack on Orangeburg. On the 12th the 
Seventeenth Corps found the enemy intrenched in front of the Orangeburg 
Bridge, but swept him away by a dash, and followed him, forcing him 
across the bridge, which was partially burned. Behind the bridge was 
a battery in position, covered by a cotton and earth parapet, with wings as 
far as could be seen. General Blair held one division (Giles A. Smith's) 
close up to the Edisto, and moved the other two to a point about two miles 
below, where he crossed Force's division by a pontoon bridge, holding 
Mower's in support. As soon as Force emerged from the swamp, the 
enemy gave ground, and Giles Smith's division gained the bridge, crossed 
over, and occupied the enemy's parapet. He soon repaired the bridge, and 
by four p. m. the whole corps was in Orangeburg, and had begun the work 
of destruction on the railroad. Blair was ordered to destroy this railroad 
effectually up to Lewisville, and to push the enemy across the Congaree, 
and force him to burn the bridges, which he did on the 14th ; and without 
wasting time or labor on Branchville or Charleston, which I knew the 
enemy could no longer hold, I turned all the columns straight on Columbia. 
The Seventeenth Corps followed the State road, and the Fifteenth crossed 
the North Edisto from Poplar Springs at Schilling's Bridge, above the 
mouth of " Cawcaw Swamp " Creek, and took a country road which came 
into the State road at Zeigler's. On the 15th, the Fifteenth Corps found 
the enemy in a strong position at Little Congaree Bridge (across Congaree 
Creek), with a tete-de-pont on the south side, and a well-constructed fort 
on the north side, commanding the bridge with artillery. The ground in 
front was very bad, level, and clear, with a fresh deposit of mud from a re- 



636 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



cent overflow. General Charles R. Woods, who commanded the leading 
division, sncceeded, however, in turning the flank of the tete-de-pont, by- 
sending Stone's brigade through a cypress swamp to the left ; and following 
up the retreating enemy promptly, lie got possession of the bridge and the 
fort beyond. The bridge had been partially damaged by fire, and had to be 
repaired for the passage of artillery, so that night closed in before the head 
of the column reached the bridge across Congaree River in front of Colum- 
bia, That night the enemy shelled our camps from a battery on the east 
side of the Congaree above Granby. Early next morning (February 16th) 
the head of the column reached the bank of the Congaree, opposite Colum- 
bia, but too late to save the fine bridge which spanned the river at that 
point. It was burned by the enemy. While waiting for the pontoons to 
come to the front, we could see people running about the streets of Columbia, 
and occasionally small bodies of cavalry, but no masses. A single gun of 
Captain De Grass's battery was firing at their cavalry squads, but I checked 
his firing, limiting him to a few shots at the unfinished State-House walls, 
and a few shells at the railroad depot to scatter the people who were seen 
carrying away sacks of corn and meal that we needed. There was no 
white flag or manifestations of surrender. I directed General Howard not 
to cross directly in front of Columbia, but to cross the Saluda at the Fac- 
tory, three miles above, and afterward Broad River, so as to approach 
Columbia from the north. Within an hour of the arrival of General How- 
ard's head of column at the river opposite Columbia, the head of column of 
the left wing also appeared, and I directed General Slocum to cross the Sa- 
luda at Zion Church, and thence to take roads direct for Winnsboro'^ 
breaking up en route the railroad and bridges about Alston. 

General Howard effected a crossing of the Saluda, near the Factory, on 
the 16th, skirmishing with cavalry, and the same night made a flying 
bridge across Broad River, about three miles above Columbia, by which he 
crossed over Stone's brigade, of Wood's division, Fifteenth Corps. Under 
cover of this brigade, a pontoon bridge was laid on the morning of the 17th. 
I was in person at this bridge, and at eleven a. m., learned that the mayor 
of Columbia had come out in a carriage, and made a formal surrender of the 
city to Colonel Stone, Twenty-fifth Iowa infantry, commanding third brigade, 
first division, Fifteenth Corps. About the same time a small party of the 
Seventeenth Corps had crossed the Congaree in a skiff, and entered Colum- 
bia from a point immediately west. In anticipation of the occupation of 
the city, I had made written orders to General Howard touching the con- 
duct of the troops. These were, to destroy absolutely all arsenals and pub- 
lic property not needed for our own use, as well as all railroads, depots, 
and machinery useful in war to an enemy, bat to spare all dwellings, col- 
leges, schools, asylums, and harmless private property. I was the first to 
cross the pontoon bridge, and in company with General Howard rode into 
the city. The day was clear, but a perfect tempest of wind was raging. 
The brigade of Colonel Stone was already in the city, and was properly 
posted. Citizens and soldiers were on the streets, and general good order 
prevailed. General Wade Hampton, who commanded the Confederate 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



637 



rear-guard of cavalry, had, in anticipation of our capture of Columbia, 
ordered that all cotton, public and private, should be moved into the streets 
and fired, to prevent our making use of it. Bales were piled everywhere, 
the rope and bagging cut, and tufts of cotton were blown about in the wind, 
lodging in the trees and against houses, so as to resemble a snow-storm. 
Some of these piles of cotton were burning, especially one in the very heart 
of the city, near the Court-house, but the fire was partially subdued by the 
labor of our soldiers. During the day the Fifteenth Corps passed through 
Columbia and out on the Camden road. The Seventeenth did not enter the 
town at all ; and, as I have before stated, the left wing and cavalry did not 
come within two miles of the town. 

Before one single public building had been fired by order, the smolder- 
ing fires, set by Hampton's order, were rekindled by the wind, and com- 
municated to the buildings around. About dark they began to spread, and 
got beyond the control of the brigade on duty within the city. The whole 
of "Woods's division was brought in, but it was found impossible to check 
the flames, which, by midnight, had become unmanageable, and raged until 
about four o'clock, a. m., when, the wind subsiding, they were got under 
control. I was up nearly all night, and saw Generals Howard, Logan, 
Woods, and others, laboring to save houses and protect families thus sud- 
denly deprived of shelter, and of bedding and wearing apparel. I disclaim 
on the part of my army any agency in this fire, but, on the contrary, claim 
that we saved what of Columbia remains unconsumed. And, without hesi- 
tation, I charge General Wade Hampton with having burned his own city 
of Columbia, not with a malicious intent, or as the manifestation of a silly 
"Roman stoicism," but from folly and want of sense in filling it with lint, 
cotton, and tinder. Our officers and men on duty worked well to extin- 
guish the flames; but others not on duty, including the officers who had 
long been imprisoned there, rescued by us, may have assisted in spreading 
the fire after it had once begun, and may have indulged in unconcealed joy 
to see the ruin of the capital of South Carolina. During the 18th and 19th, 
the arsenal, railroad depots, machine shops, founderies, and other buildings, 
were properly destroyed by detailed working parties, and the railroad track 
torn up and destroyed down to Kingsville and the Wateree Bridge, and up 
in the direction of Winnsboro'. 

At the same time the left wing and cavalry had crossed the Saluda and 
Broad Rivers, breaking up railroad about Alston, and as high up as the 
bridge across Broad River, on the Spartanburg road, the main body moving 
straight for Winnsboro', which General Slocum reached on the 21st of 
February. He caused the railroad to be destroyed up to Blackstakes 
Depot, and then turned to Rocky Mount, on the Catawba River. The 
Twentieth Corps reached Rocky Mount on the 22d, laid a pontoon bridge, 
and crossed over during the 23d. Kilpatrick's cavalry followed, and 
crossed over in a terrible rain during the night of the 23d, and moved up 
to Lancaster, with orders to keep up the delusion of a general movement 
on Charlotte, North Carolina, to which General Beauregard and all the 
cavalry of the enemy had retreated from Columbia. I was also aware that 



638 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Cheatham's Corps, of Hood's old army, was aiming to make a junction 
with Beauregard at Charlotte, having been cut off by our rapid movement 
on Columbia and TVinnsboro'. From the 23d to the 26th we had heavy 
rains, swelling the rivers and making the roads almost impassable. The 
Twentieth Corps reached Hanging Rock on the 2Gth, and waited there for 
the Fourteenth Corps to get across the Catawba. The heavy rains had so 
swollen the river that the pontoon bridge broke, and General Davis had 
very hard work to restore it and get his command across. At last he suc- 
ceeded, and the left wing was all put in motion for Cheraw. In the mean 
time the right wing had broken up the railroad to "VTinnsboro', and thence 
turned for Peay's Ferry, where it was crossed over the Catawba before the 
heavy rains set in, the Seventeenth Corps moving straight on Cheraw via 
Young's Bridge, and the Fifteenth Corps by Tiller's and Kelley's Bridges. 
.From this latter corps, detachments were sent into Camden to burn the 
bridge over the "Wateree, with the railroad depot, stores, etc. A small 
force of mounted men under Captain Duncan was also dispatched to make 
a dash and interrupt the railroad from Charleston to Florence, but it met 
Butler's division of cavalry, and. after a sharp night-skirmish on Mount 
Elon, was compelled to return unsuccessful. Much bad road was encoun- 
tered at Lynch's Creek, which delayed the right wing about the same 
length of time as the left wing had been at the Catawba. On the 2d of 
March, the leading division of the Twentieth Corps entered Chesterfield, 
skirmishing with Butler's division of cavalry, and the next day about noon 
the Seventeenth Corps entered Cheraw, the enemy retreating across the 
Pedee, and burning the bridge at that point. At Cheraw we found much 
ammunition and many guns, which had been brought from Charleston on 
the evacuation of that city. These were destroyed, as also the railroad 
trestles and bridges down as far as Darlington. An expedition of mounted 
infantry was also sent down to Florence, but it encountered both cavalry 
and infantry, and returned, having only broken up in pail the branch road 
from Florence to Cheraw. 

TTithont unnecessary delay the columns were again put in motion, 
directed on Fayetteville, North Carolina, the right wing crossing the 
Pedee at Cheraw, and the left wing and cavalry at Sneedsboro'. General 
Kilpatrick was ordered to keep well on the left flank, and the Fourteenth. 
Corps, moving by Love ? s Bridge, was given the right to enter and occupy 
Fayetteville first. The weather continued unfavorable and the roads bad, 
but the Fourteenth and Seventeenth Corps reached Fayetteville on the 
11th of March, skirmishing with Wade Hampton's cavalry, that covered 
the rear of Hardee's retreating army, which, as usual, had crossed Cape 
Fear River, burning the bridge. During the march from Pedee, General 
Kilpatrick had kept his cavalry well on the left and exposed flank. During 
the night of the 9th of March, his three brigades were divided to picket the 
roads. General Hampton detecting this, pushed in at daylight and gained 
possession of the camp of Colonel Spencer's brigade, and the house in 
which General Kilpatrick and Colonel Spencer had their quarters. The 
surprise was complete, but General Kilpatrick quickly succeeded in ral- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



639 



lying his men, on foot, in a swamp near by, and by a prompt attack, well 
followed up, regained bis artillery, horses, camp, and every thing save 
some prisoners whom the enemy carried off, leaving their dead on the 
ground. 

The 12th, 18th, and 14th were passed at Fayetteville, destroying abso- 
lutely the United States arsenal and the vast amount of machinery which 
had formerly belonged to the Harper's Ferry United States arsenal. Every 
building was knocked clown and burned, and every piece of machinery 
utterly broken up and ruined by the First Regiment Michigan Engineers, 
under the immediate supervision of Colonel O. M. Poe, chief engineer. 
Much valuable property of great use to the enemy was here destroyed or 
cast into the river. 

Up to this period I had perfectly succeeded in interposing my superior 
army between the scattered parts of the enemy. But I was then aware 
that the fragments that had left Columbia under Beauregard had been re- 
enforced by Cheatham's corps from the "West, and the garrison of Augusta, 
and that ample time had been given to move them to my front and flank 
about Raleigh. Hardee had also succeeded in getting across Cape Fear 
River ahead of me, and could therefore complete the junction with the 
other armies of Johnston and Hoke in North Carolina. And the whole, un- 
der the command of the skillful and experienced Joe Johnston, made up an 
army superior to me in cavalry, and formidable enough in artillery and in- 
fantry to justify me in extreme caution in making the last step necessary 
to complete the march I had undertaken. 

Previous to reaching Fayetteville, I had dispatched to Wilmington from 
Laurel Hill Church two of our best scouts with intelligence of our position 
and my general plans. Both of these messengers reached Wilmington, and 
on the morning of the 12th of March the army-tug Davidson, Captain Ains- 
worth, reached Fayetteville from Wilmington, bringing me full intelligence 
of events from the outer world. On the same day this tug carried back to 
General Terry, at "Wilmington, and General Schofield, at Newbern, my dis- 
patches to the effect that on Wednesday, the 15th, we would move for 
Goldsboro', feigning on Raleigh, and ordering them to march straight for 
Goidsboro , , which I expected to reach about the 20th. The same day the 
gunboat Eolus, Captain Young, United States Navy, also reached Fayette- 
ville, and through her I continued to have communication with Wilming- 
ton until the day of our actual departure. While the work of destruc- 
tion was going on at Fayetteville, two pontoon bridges were laid across 
Cape Fear River, one opposite the town, and the other three miles 
below. 

General Kilpatrick was ordered to move up the plank-road to and be- 
yond Averysboro'. He was to be followed by four divisions of the left 
wing, with as few wagons as possible; the rest of the train, under escort 
of the two remaining divisions of that wing, to take a shorter and more 
direct road to Goldsboro'. In like manner General Howard was ordered 
to send his trains, under good escort, well to the right, toward Faison's 
Depot and Goldsboro', and to hold four divisions light, ready to go to the 



040 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



aid of the left wing if attacked while in motion. The weather continued very 
bad, and the roads had become mere quagmire. Almost every foot of it 
had to be corduroyed to admit the passage of wheels. Still, time was so 
important that punctually, according to order, the columns moved out from 
Cape Fear River on Wednesday, the 15th of March. I accompanied Gen- 
eral Slocum, who, preceded by Kilpatrick's cavalry, moved up the river or 
plank-road that day to Kyle's Landing, Kilpatrick skirmishing heavily with 
the enemy's rear-guard about three miles beyond, near Taylor's Hole 
Creek. At General Kilpatrick's request, General Slocum sent forward a 
brigade of infantry to hold a line of barricades. 

Next morning the column advanced in the same order, and developed 
the enemy, with artillery, infantry, and cavalry, in an intrenched position 
in front of the point where the road branches off toward Goldsboro' 
through Bentonville. On an inspection of the map, it was manifest that 
Hardee in retreating from Fayetteville had halted in the narrow swampy 
neck between Cape Fear and South Rivers in the hopes to hold me, to save 
time for the concentration of Johnston's armies at some point to his rear — 
namely, Raleigh, Smithfield, or Goldsboro'. Hardee's force was estimated 
at twenty thousand men. It was necessary to dislodge him that we might 
have the use of the Goldsboro' road, as also to keep up the feint on Raleigh 
as long as possible. General Slocum was therefore ordered to press and 
carry the position, only difficult by reason of the nature of the ground, 
which was so soft that horses would sink everywhere, and even men could 
hardly make their way over the common pine-barren. 

The Twentieth Corps, General Williams, had the lead, and Ward's divi- 
sion the advance. This was deployed, and the skirmish line developed the 
position of a brigade of Charleston heavy artillery, armed as infantry 
(Rhett's), posted across the road behind a light parapet, with a battery of 
guns enfilading the approach across a cleared field. General Williams sent 
a brigade (Case's) by a circuit to his left that turned this line, and by a 
quick charge broke the brigade, which rapidly retreated back to a second 
line, better built and more strongly held. A battery of artillery (Winning- 
er's), well-posted under the immediate direction of Major Reynolds, chief 
of artillery of the Twentieth Corps, did good execution on the retreating 
brigade ; and, on advancing Ward's division over this ground, General 
Williams captured three guns and two hundred and seventeen prisoners, of 
which sixty-eight were wounded, and left in a house near by with a rebel 
officer, four men, and five days' rations. One hundred and eight rebel dead 
were buried by us. As Ward's division advanced, he developed a second 
and a stronger line, when Jackson's division was deployed forward on the 
right of Ward, and the two divisions of Jeff. C. Davis's (Fourteenth) Corps 
on the left, well toward the Cape Fear. At the same time Kilpatrick, 
who was acting in concert with General Williams, was ordered to draw 
back his cavalry and mass it on the extreme right, and, in concert with 
Jackson's right, to feel forward for the Goldsboro' road. He got a brigade 
on the road, but it was attacked by McLaws's rebel division furiously, and 
though it fought well aud Liard, the brigade drew back to the flank of the 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



041. 



infantry. The whole line advanced late in the afternoon, drove the enemy 
well within his intrenched line and pressed him so hard, that next morning 
he was gone, having retreated in a miserable stormy night over the worst 
of roads. Ward's division of infantry followed to and through Averysboro 1 , 
developing the fact that Hardee had retreated, not on Raleigh, but on 
Smithfield. I had the night before directed Kilpatrick to cross South 
River at a mill-dam to our right and rear, and move up on the east sido 
toward Elevation. General Slocum reports his aggregate loss, in the affair 
known as that of Averysboro', at twelve officers and sixty-five men killed, 
and four hundred and seventy-seven wounded. We lost no prisoners. 
The enemy's loss can be inferred from his dead (one hundred and eight) 
left for us to bury. Leaving Ward's division to keep up a show of pursuit, 
Slocum 's column was turned to the right, built a bridge across the swollen 
South River, and took the Goldsboro' road, Kilpatrick crossing to the 
north, in the direction of Elevation, with orders to move eastward, watch- 
ing that flank. In the mean time the wagon-trains and guards, as also 
Howard's column, were wallowing along the miry roads toward Ben- 
tonville and Goldsboro'. The enemy's infantry, as before stated, had 
retreated across our front in the same direction, burning the bridges across 
Mill Creek. I continued with the head of Slocum's column, and camped 
the night of the 18th with him on the Goldsboro' road, twenty-seven miles 
from Goldsboro', about five miles from Bentonville, and where the road 
from Clinton to Smithfield crosses the Goldsboro' road. Howard was at 
Lee's Store, only two miles south, and both columns had pickets three 
miles forward, to where the two roads came together and became common 
to Goldsboro'. 

All the signs induced me to believe that the enemy would make no fur- 
ther opposition to our progress, and would not attempt to strike us in flank 
while in motion. I therefore directed Howard to move his right wing by 
the new Goldsboro' road, which goes by way of Falling Creek Church. I 
also left Slocum and joined Howard's column, with a view to open com- 
munications with. General Schofield, coming up from ISTewbern, aud Terry, 
from Wilmington. I found General Howard's column well strung out, 
owing to the very bad roads, and did not overtake him in person till he 
had reached Falling Creek Church, with one regiment forward to the cross- 
roads near Cox's Bridge across the Neuse. I had gone from General Slo- 
cum about six miles, when I heard artillery in his direction, but was soon 
made easy by one of his staff officers overtaking me, explaining that his 
leading division (Carlin's) had encountered a division of rebel cavalry 
(Dibbrell's), which he was driving easily. But soon other staff-officers 
came up, reporting that he had developed near Bentonville the whole of 
the rebel army, under General Johnston himself. I sent him orders to 
call up the two divisions guarding his wagon-trains, and Hazen's division 
of the Fifteenth Corps, still back near Lee's Store ; to fight defensively 
until I could draw up Blair's Corps then near Mount Olive Station, and 
with the remaining three divisions of the Fifteenth Corps come up on 
Johnston's left rear from the direction of Cox's Bridge. In the mean time, 
41 



G 12 LIFE AND CAMPAIGN'S OF GENERAL GRANT. 



while on the road, I received couriers from both Generals Schofield and 
Terry. The former reported himself in possession of Kinston, delayed 
somewhat by want of provisions, but able to march so as to make Golds- 
boro' on the 21st; and Terry was at or nearFaison's Depot. Orders were 
; t once dispatched to Schofield to push for Goldsboro', and to make dispo- 
sitions to cross Little River in the direction of Smithfield as far as Millard ; 
to General Terry to move to Cox's Bridge, lay a pontoon bridge, and estab- 
lish a crossing; and to Blair to make a night inarch to Falling Creek 
Church; and at daylight the right wing, General Howard, less the neces- 
sary wagon guards, was put in rapid motion on Bentonville. By subse- 
quent reports I learned that General Slocum's head of column had advanced 
from its camp of March 18, and first encountered. Dibbrell's cavalry, but 
soon found his progress impeded by infantry and artillery. The enemy 
attacked his head of column, gaining a temporary advantage, and took 
three guns and caissons of General Carlin's division, driving the two lead- 
ing brigades back on the main body. As soon as General Slocum realized 
that he had in his front the whole Confederate army, he promptly deployed 
(he two divisions of the Fourteenth Corps, General Davis, and rapidly 
brought up on their left the two divisions of the Twentieth Corps, General 
Williams. These he arranged on the defensive, and hastily prepared a line 
of barricades. General Kilpatrick also came up at the sound of artillery 
and massed on the left. In this position the left received six distinct as- 
saults by the combined forces of Hoke, Hardee, and Cheatham, under the 
immediate command of General Johnston himself, without giving an inch 
of ground, and doing good execution on the enemy's ranks, especially with 
our artillery, the enemy having little or none. 

Johnston had moved by night from Smithfield with great rapidity, and 
without unnecessary wheels, intending to overwhelm my left flank before it 
could be relieved by its co-operating columns. But he u reckoned without 
his host." I had expected just such a movement all the way from Fayette- 
ville, and was prepared for it. During the night of the 19th, General 
Slocum got up his wagon-train with its guard of two divisions, and 
Hazen's division of the Fifteenth Corps, which re-enforcement enabled him to 
make his position impregnable. The right wing found rebel cavalry watch- 
ing his approach, but unable to offer any serious opposition until our head 
of column encountered a considerable body behind a barricade at the forks 
of the road near Bentonville, about three miles east of the battle-field of 
the day before. This body of cavalry was, however, quickly dislodged, 
and the intersection of the roads secured. On moving forward the Fif- 
teenth Corps, General Logan found that the enemy had thrown back his 
left flank, and had constructed a line of parapet connecting with that 
toward General Slocum, in the form of a bastion, its salient on the main 
Goldsboro' road, interposing between General Slocum on the west and 
General Howard on the east, while the flanks rested on Mill Creek, cover- 
ing the road back to Smithfield. General Howard was instructed to pro- 
ceed with due caution until he had made strong connection on his left with 
General Slocum. This he soon accomplished, and by four p. m. of the 20th a 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



643 



complete and strong line of battle confronted the enemy in his intrenched 
position, and General Johnston, instead of catching us in detail, was on the 
defensive, with Mill Creek and a single bridge to his rear. Nevertheless, 
we had no object to accomplish by a battle, unless at an advantage, and 
therefore my general instructions were to press steadily with skirmishers 
alone, to use artillery pretty freely on the wooded space held by the enemy, 
and to feel pretty strongly the flanks of his position, which were as usual 
covered by the endless swamps of this region of country. I also ordered 
all empty wagons to be sent at once to Kinston for supplies, and other 
impediments to be grouped near the Neuse, south of Goldsboro 1 , holding 
the real army in close contact with the enemy, ready to fight him if he 
ventured outside his parapets and swampy obstructions. Thus matters 
stood about Bentonville on the 21st of March. On the same day General 
Sehofield entered Goldsboro' with little or no opposition, and General 
Terry had got possession of the Neuse River at Cox's Bridge, ten miles 
above, with a pontoon bridge laid and a brigade across, so that the three 
armies were in actual connection, and the great object of the campaign 
was accomplished. 

On the 21st a steady rain prevailed, during which General Mower's di- 
vision of the Seventeenth Corps, on the extreme right, had worked well to 
the right around the enemy's flank, and had nearly reached the bridge 
across Mill Creek, the only line of retreat open to the enemy. Of course 
there was extreme danger that the enemy would turn on him all his re- 
serves, and, it might be, let go his parapets to overwhelm Mower. Ac- 
cordingly I ordered at once a general attack by our skirmish-line from left 
to right. Quite a noisy battle ensued, during which General Mower was 
enabled to regain his connection with his own corps by moving to his left 
rear. Still he had developed a weakness in the enemy's position, of which 
advantage might have been taken; but that night the enemy retreated on 
Smithfield, leaving his pickets to fall into our hands, with many dead un- 
buried, and wounded in his field-hospitals. At daybreak of the 22d, pur- 
suit was made two miles beyond Mill Creek, but checked by my order. 
General Johnston had utterly failed in ins attempt, and we remained in full 
possession of the field of battle. 

General SI o cum reports the losses of the left wing about Bentonville at 
nine officers and one hundred and forty-five men killed, fifty-one officers 
and eight hundred and sixteen men wounded, and three officers and two 
hundred and twenty-three men missing, taken prisoners by the enemy ; 
total, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven. He buried on the field 
one hundred and sixty-seven rebel dead, and took three hundred and thirty- 
eight prisoners. General Howard reports the losses of the right wing at 
two officers and thirty-five men killed, twelve officers and two hun- 
dred and thirty-nine men wounded, and one officer and sixty men miss- 
ing ; total, three hundred and ninety-nine. He also buried one hundred 
rebel dead, and took one thousand two hundred and eighty-seven prison- 
ers. The cavalry of Kilpatrick was held in reserve, and lost but few, if any, 
of which i have no report as yet. Our aggregate loss at Bentonville was 



644 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



one thousand six hundred and forty-three. I am well satisfied that the 
enemy lost heavily, especially during his assaults on the left wing during 
the afternoon of the 19th ; but, as I have no data, save his dead and 
wounded left in our hands, I prefer to make no comparisons. Thus, as I 
have endeavored to explain, we had completed our march on the 21st, and 
had full possession of Goldsboro', the real " objective," with its two rail- 
roads back to the seaports of Wilmington and Beaufort, North Carolina. 
These were being rapidly repaired by strong working-parties, directed by 
Colonel W. Wright, of the railroad department. A large number of 
supplies had already been brought forward to Kinston, to which place our 
wagons had been sent to receive them. I therefore directed General How- 
ard and the cavalry to remain at Bentonville, during the 22d, to bury the 
dead and remove the wounded, and on the following day all the armies to 
move to the camps assigned them about Goldsboro', there to rest and re- 
ceive the clothing and supplies of which they stood in need. In person I 
went on the 23d to Cox's Bridge to meet General Terry, whom I met for 
the first time, and on the following day rode into Goldsboro', where I found 
General Schofield and his army. The left wing came in during the same 
day and next morning, and the right wing followed on the 24th, on which 
day the cavalry moved to Mount Olive Station, and General Terry back to 
Faison's. On the 25th, the Newbern Railroad was finished, and the first- 
train of cars came in, thus giving us the means of bringing from the depdi 
at Morehead City full supplies to the army. 

It was all-important that I should have an interview with the general-in- 
chief, and presuming that he could not at this time leave City Point, I left 
General Schofield in chief command, and proceeded with all expedition by 
rail to Morehead City, and thence by steamer to City Point, reaching Gen- 
eral Grant's head-quarters on the evening of the 27th of March. I had the 
good fortune to meet General Grant, the President, Generals Meade, Ord, 
and others of the Army of the Potomac, and soon learned the general state 
of the military world, from which I had in a great measure been cut off' 
since January. Having completed all necessary business, I re-embarked on 
the navy steamer Bat, Captain Barnes, which Admiral Porter placed at my 
command, and returned via Hatteras Inlet and Newbern, reaching my own 
head-quarters in Goldsboro' during the night of the 30th. During my ab- 
sence, full supplies of clothing and food had been brought to camp, and all 
things were working well. I have thus rapidly sketched the progress of 
our columns from Savannah to Goldsboro', but for more minute details 
must refer to the reports of subordinate commanders and of staff-officers, 
which are not yet ready, but will in due season be forwarded and filed with 
this report. I cannot even, with any degree of precision, recapitulate the 
vast amount of injury done to the enemy, or the quantity of guns and ma- 
terials of war captured and destroyed. In general terms, we have trav- 
ersed the country from Savannah to Goldsboro', with an average breadth 
of forty miles, consuming all the forage, cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry, cured 
meats, corn-meal, etc. The public enemy, instead of drawing supplies 
from that region to feed his armies, will be compelled to send provisions 



MAJOR- GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



645 



from other quarters to feed the inhabitants. A map herewith, prepared 
by my chief engineer, Colonel Poe, with the routes of the Fourth Corps 
and cavalry, will show at a glance the country traversed. Of course, the 
abandonment to us by the enemy of the whole seacoast, from Savannah to 
Newbern, North Carolina, with its forts, dock-yards, gunboats, etc., was a 
necessary incident to our occupation and destruction of the inland routes 
of travel and supply. But the real object of this march was to place this 
army in a position easy of supply, whence it could take an appropriate part 
in the spring and summer campaign of 18f>5. This was completely accom- 
plished on March 21st, by the junction of the three armies and occupation 
of Goldsboro'. 

In conclusion, I beg to express in the most emphatic manner my entire 
satisfaction with the tone and temper of the whole army. Nothing seems 
to dampen their energy, zeal, or cheerfulness. It is impossible to conceive 
a march involving more labor and exposure, yet I cannot recall an instance 
of bad temper by the way, or hearing an expression of doubt as to our 
perfect success in the end. I believe that this cheerfulness and harmony 
of action reflects upon all concerned quite as much real honor and fame as 
battles gained" or "cities won, 1 ' and I therefore commend all, general 
staff, officers, and men, for these high qualities, in addition to the more 
soldierly ones of obedience to orders and the alacrity they have always 
manifested when danger summoned them " to the front." 

I have the honor to be your obedient servant. 

W. T. Sherman, 
Major-General Commanding. 

Major-General H. W. Halleck, 

Chief of Staff, Washington, D. C. 



THE CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN, AND THE SURRENDER OF 
THE CONFEDERATE FORCES UNDER GENERAL JOSEPH E. 
JOHNSTON; WITH GENERAL SHERMAN'S FAREWELL AD- 
DRESS TO HIS ARMY. 

Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, j 
In tub Field, City Point, Va., May 9, 1865. ) 
General : — My last official report brought the history of events, as con- 
nected with the armies in the field subject to my immediate command, 
down to the 1st of April, when the Army of the Ohio, Major-General J. 
M. Schofield commanding, lay at Goldsboro', with detachments distributed 
so as to secure and cover our routes of communication and supply back to 
the sea at Wilmington and Morehead City ; Major-General A. H. Terry, 
with the Tenth Corps, being at Faison's Depot. The Army of the Tennes- 
see, Major-General O. O. Howard commanding, was encamped to the right 
and front of Goldsboro', and the Army of Georgia, Major-General H. W. 
Slocum commanding, to its left and front ; the cavalry, brevet Major-Gen- 
eral J. Kilpatrick commanding, at Mount Olive. All were busy in repairing 



C46 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 



the wear and tear of our then recent and hard inarch from Savarmah, or 
in replenishing clothing and stores necessary for a farther progress. 

I had previously, by letter, and in person, notified the Lieutenant-General 
commanding the armies of the United States, that the 10th of April would 
he the earliest possible moment at which I could hope to have all things in 
readiness, and we were compelled to use our railroads to the very highest 
possible limit in order to fulfill that promise, Owing to a mistake in the 
railroad department, in sending locomotives and cars of the five-foot gauge, 
we were limited to the use of a few locomotives and cars of the four-foot 
eight-and-a-half-inch gauge already in North Carolina, with such of the old 
stock as was captured by Major-General Terry at Wilmington, and on his 
way up to Goldsboro. 1 Yet such judicious use was made of these, and such 
industry displayed in the railroad management by Generals Eaton and 
Beck with, and Colonel "Wright and Mr. Van Dyne, that by the 10th of 
April our men were all reclad, the wagons reloaded, and a fair amount of 
forage accumulated ahead. 

In the mean time, Major-General George Stoneman, in command of a 
division of cavalry, operating from East Tennessee in connection with 
Major-General George II. Thomas, in pursuance of my orders of January 
21, 1865, had reached the railroad about Greensboro', North Carolina, and 
had made sad havoc with it, and had pushed along it to Salisbury, destroy- 
ing en route bridges, culverts, depots, and all kinds of rebel supplies ; and 
had extended the break in the railroad down to the Catawba Bridge. 

This was fatal to the hostile armies of Lee and Johnston, who depended 
on that road for supplies and as their ultimate line of retreat. Major-Gen- 
eral J. H. Wilson, also in command of the cavalry corps organized by 

himself, under Special Field Orders, No. , of October 24, 1864, at 

Gaylesville, Alabama, had started from the neighborhood of Decatur and 
Florence, Alabama, and moved straight into the heart of Alabama, on a 
route prescribed for General Thomas after he had defeated General Hood at 
Nashville, Tennessee ; but the roads being too heavy for infantry, General 
Thomas had devolved that duty on that most energetic young cavalry 
officer, General Wilson, who, imbued with the proper spirit, has struck one 
of the best blows of the war at the waning strength of the Confederacy. 
His route was one never before touched by our troops, and atforded him 
abundance of supplies as long as ho was in motion, viz., by Tuscaloosa, 
Selma, Montgomery, Columbus, and Macon. Though in communication 
with him, I have not been able to receive as yet his full and detailed 
reports, which will in due time be published and appreciated. 

Lieutenant-General Grant, also in immediate command of the armies 
about Richmond, had taken the initiative in that magnificent campaign, 
which in less than ten days compelled the evacuation of Richmond, and 
resulted in the destruction and surrender of the entire rebel army of Vir- 
ginia, under command of General Lee. The news of the battles about 
Petersburg reached me at Goldsboro 1 on the 6th of April. Up to that time 
my purpose was to move rapidly northward, feigning on Raleigh, and 
striking straight for Burkesvilie, thereby interposing between Johnston and 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



647 



Lee. But the auspicious events in Virginia had changed the whole military 
\ roblem, and, in the expressive language of Lieutenant-General Grant, tho 
Confederate armies of Lee and Johnston became the strategic points. Gene- 
ral Grant was fully able to take care of the former, and my task was to 
capture or destroy the latter. Johnston at that time, April 6, had his army 
well in hand about Smithfield, interposing between me and Raleigh. I es- 
timated his infantry and artillery at thirty-live thousand, and his cavalry 
from six thousand to ten thousand. He was superior to me in cavalry, so 
that I held General Kilpatrick in reserve at Mount Olive, with orders to 
recruit his horses and be ready to make a sudden and rapid march on the 
10th of April. 

At daybreak on the day appointed, ail the heads of columns were in 
motion straight against tho enemy, Major-General H. W. Slocum taking the 
two direct roads for Smithfield; Major-General O. O. Howard making a 
circuit by the right, and feigning up the TVeklon road to disconcert the 
enemy's cavalry ; Generals Terry and Kilpatrick moving on the west side 
of the Nense River, and aiming to reach tho rear of the enemy between 
Smithfield and Raleigh. General Schofield followed General Slocum in 
support. All the columns met within six (6) miles of Goldsboro', more or 
Jess cavalry, with the usual rail-barricades, which were swept before ns as 
chaff; and by ten a. m. of the 11th, the Fourteenth Corps entered Smith- 
field, the Twentieth Corps close at hand. Johnston had rapidly retreated 
across the Neuse River, and, having his railroad to lighten up his trains, 
could retreat faster than we could pursue. The rams had also set in, 
making the resort to corduroy absolutely necessary to pass even ambu- 
lances. The enemy had burned the bridge at Smithfield, and as soon as 
possible Major-General Slocum got up his pontoons and crossed over a 
division of the Fourteenth Corps. T7e there heard of the surrender of 
Lee's army at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia, which was announced to 
the armies in orders, and created universal joy. Not an officer or soldier 
of my armies but expressed a pride and satisfaction that it fell to the lot of 
the armies of the Potomac and James so gloriously to overwhelm and cap- 
ture the entire army that had held them so long in check, and their success 
gave new impulse to finish up our task. 

"Without a moment's hesitation we dropped our trains, and marched 
rapidly in pursuit to and through Raleigh, reaching that place at half-past 
seven o'clock, a. m. on the 18th, in a heavy rain. The next day the cavalry 
pushed on through the rain to Durham Station, the Fifteenth Corps follow- 
ing as far as Morrisville Station, and the Seventeenth Corps to Jones's 
Station. On the supposition that Johnston was tied to his railroad, as a 
line of retreat by Hillsboro', Greenboro', Salisbury, and Charlotte, etc., I 
had turned the columns across the bend in that road toward Ashboro'. 
(See Special Field Orders, No. 55.) The cavalry, brevet Major-General 
J. Kilpatrick commanding, was ordered to keep up a show of pursuit 
toward the u Company's Shops," in Alamanco County; Major-General O. 
O. Howard to turn to the left by Hackney's Cross-roads, Pittsboro', St. 
Lawrence, and Ashboro'; Major-General IT. W. Slocum to cross Cape Fear 



G1S LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



River at Avon's Ferry, arid move rapidly by Carthage, Caledonia, and 
Cox's Mills. Major-General J. M. Schofield was to hold Raleigh, and the 
road back, and with his spare force to follow an intermediate route. 

By the 15th, though the rains were incessant and the roads almost im- 
practicable, Major-General Slocum had the Fourteenth Corps, Brevet Major- 
General Davis commanding* near Martha's Vineyard, with a pontoon bridge 
laid across Cape Fear River at Avon's Ferry, with the Twentieth Corps, 
Major-General Mower commanding, in support; and Major-General Howard 
had the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps stretched out on the roads 
toward Pittsboro' ; while General Kilpatrick held Durham's Station and 
Chapel Hill University. Johnston's army was retreating rapidly on the 
roads from Hillsboro' to Greensboro', he himself at Greensboro'. 

Although out of place as to time, I here invite all military critics, who 
study the problems of war, to take their maps and compare the position of 
my army on the 15th and 16th of April with that of General Halleck about 
Burkesville and Petersburg, Virginia, on the 26th of April, when, accord- 
ing to his telegram to Secretary Stanton, he offered to relieve me of the 
task of cutting off Johnston's retreat. Major-General Stoneman at the 
time was at Statesville, and Johnston's only line of retreat was by Salis- 
bury and Charlotte. It may be that General Halleck's troops can outmarch 
mine, but there is nothing in their past history to show it. Or it may be 
that General Halleck can inspire his troops with more energy of action. I 
doubt that also, save and except in this single instance, when he knew the 
enemy was ready to surrender or "disperse," as advised by my letter of 
April 18th, addressed to him when chief of staff at Washington city, and 
delivered at Washington on the fist instant by Major Hitchcock, of my staff. 

Thus matters stood at the time I received General Johnston's first letter, 
and made my answer of April 14, copies of which were sent with all expedi- 
tion to Lieutenant-General Grant and the Secretary of War, with my letter 
of April 15. I agreed to meet General Johnston in person, at a point 
intermediate between our pickets, on the 1 7th, at noon, provided the posi- 
tion of the troops remained in statu quo. I was both willing and anxious 
thus to consume a few days, as it would enable Colonel Wright to finish 
our railroad to Raleigh. Two bridges had to be built and twelve miles of 
new road made. We had no iron, except by taking up that on the branch 
from Goldsboro' to Weldon. Instead of losing by time, I gained in every 
way, for every hour of delay possible was required to reconstruct the rail- 
road to our rear, and improve the condition of our wagon-roads to the 
front, so desirable in case the negotiations failed, and we be forced to make 
the race of near two hundred miles to head off or catch Johnston's army, 
then retreating toward Charlotte. 

At noon, of the day appointed, I met General Johnston for the first 
time in my life, although we had been exchanging shots constantly since 
May, 1863. Our interview was frank and soldier-like, and he gave me to 
understand that further war on the part of the Confederate troops was 
folly; that the '-cause" was lost, and that every life sacrificed after the 
surrender of Lee's army was the highest possible crime. He admitted 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



649 



that the terms conceded to General Lee were magnanimous, and all he could 
ask ; but he did want some general concessions that would enable him to 
jillay the natural fears and anxieties of his followers, and enable him to 
maintain his control over them until they could be got back to the neigh- 
borhood of their homes, thereby saving the State of North Carolina the 
devastation inevitably to result from turning his men loose and unprovided 
on the spot, and our pursuit across the State. 

He also wanted to embrace in the same general proposition the fate of 
all the Confederate armies that remained in existence. I never made any 
concession as to his own army, or assume^ to deal finally and authorita- 
tively in regard to any other; but it did seem to me that there was pre- 
sented a chance for peace that might be deemed valuable to the Govern- 
ment of the United States, and was at least worth the few days that would 
be consumed in reference. 

To push an enemy, whose commander had so frankly and honestly con- 
fessed his inability to cope with me, were cowardly, and unworthy the 
brave men I led. 

Inasmuch as General Johnston did not feel authorized to pledge his 
power over the armies in Texas, we adjourned to meet the next day at 
; noon. I returned to Raleigh, and conferred freely with all my general 
officers, every one of whom urged me to conclude terms that might accom- 
plish so complete and desirable an end. All dreaded the weary and labo- 
rious march after a fugitive and dissolving army back toward Georgia, almost 
over the very country where we had toiled so long. There was but one 
opinion expressed, and if contrary ones were entertained they were with- 
held, or indulged in only by that class who shun the fight and the march, 
but are loudest, bravest, and fiercest when danger is past. 

I again met General Johnston on the 18th, and we renewed the conver- 
sation. He satisfied me then of his power to disband the rebel armies in 
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as those in his imme- 
diate command, viz. : North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. 
The points on which he expressed especial solicitude were lest their States 
were to be dismembered and denied representation in Congress, or anv 
separate political existence whatever; and that the absolute disarming his 
men would leave the South powerless and exposed to depredations by 
wicked bands of assassins and robbers. 

President Lincoln's message of 1 864 ; his amnesty proclamation ; Gen- 
eral Grant's terms to General Lee, substantially extending the benefits of 
that proclamation to all officers above the rank of colonel ; the invitation 
to the Virginia Legislature to reassemble in Richmond, by General "Weitzel, 
with the approval of Mr. Lincoln and General Grant, then on the spot ; a 
firm belief that I had been fighting to re-establish the Constitution of the 
United States ; and last, and not least, the general and universal desire to 
close a war any longer without organized resistance, were the leading facts 
that induced me to pen the " memorandum " of April 18th, signed by myself 
and General Johnston. It was designed to be, and so expressed on its face, 
as a mere " basis " for reference to the President of the United States and 



650 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



constitutional commander-in-chief, to enable, if he chose, at one blow to 
dissipate the military power of the Confederacy, which had threatened the 
National safety for years. It admitted of modification, alteration, and 
change. It had no appearance of an ultimatum, and by no false reasoning 
can it be construed into a usurpation of power on my part. I have my 
opinions on the question involved, and will stand by the memorandum. 
"But this forms no part of a military report." 

Immediately on my return to Raleigh, I dispatched one of my staff, 
Major Hitchcock, to Washington, enjoining him to be most prudent, and 
careful to avoid the spies and informers that would be sure to infest him 
by the way, and to say nothing to anybody until the President could make 
known to me his wishes and policy in the matter. 

The news of President Lincoln's assassination, on the 14th of April 
(wrongly reported to me by telegraph as having occurred on the 11th), 
reached me on the 17th, and was announced to my command on the same 
day in Special Field Orders, No. 56. I was duly impressed with its 
horrible atrocity, and probable effect on the country ; but when the prop- 
erty and interests of millions still living were involved, I saw no good 
reason to change my course, but thought rather to manifest real respect 
for his memory by following, after his death, that policy which, if living, I 
feel certain he would have approved, or at least Dot rejected with disdain. 

Up to that hour I had never received one word of instruction, advice, 
or counsel, as to the plan or policy of Government, looking to a restoration 
of peace on the part of the rebel States of the South. Whenever asked 
for an opinion on the points involved, I had always evaded the subject. 
My letter to the mayor of Atlanta has been published to the Avorld, and I 
was not rebuked by the War Department for it. 

My letter to Mr. N W , at Savannah, was shown by me to Mr. 

Stanton, before its publication, and all that my memory retains of his 
answer is, that he said, like my letters generally, it was sufficiently emphatic 
and could not be misunderstood. 

But these letters asserted my belief that according to Mr. Lincoln's pro- 
clamations and messages, when the people of the South had laid down 
their arms, and submitted to the lawful power of the United States, ipso 
facto, the war was over as to them ; and furthermore, that if any State in 
rebellion would conform to the Constitution of the United States, cease 
war, elect senators and representatives to Congress, if admitted (of which 
each house of Congress alone is the judge), that State becomes instanter 
as much in the Union as New York or Ohio. Nor was I rebuked for tins 
expression, though it was universally known and commented on at the 
time. And again Mr. Stanton, in person, at Savannah, speaking of the 
terrific expenses of the war, and difficulty of realizing the money neces- 
sary fur the daily wants of Government, impressed me most forcibly with 
the necessity of bringing the war to a close as soon as possible, for finan- 
cial reasons. 

On the evening of April 23d, Major Hitchcock reported his return to 
Morehead City with dispatches, of which fact General Johnston, at Hills- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



651 



boro,' was notified, so as to be ready in the morning for an answer. At 6 
o'clock a. m., on the 24th, Major Hitchcock arrived, accompanied by Gen- 
eral Grant, and members of his staff, who had not telegraphed the fact of 
his coming over our exposed road, for prudential reasons. 

I soon learned that the memorandum was disapproved, without reasons 
assigned, and I was ordered to give the forty-eight hours' notice, and 
resume hostilities at the close of that time, governing myself by the sub- 
stance of a dispatch then inclosed, dated March 3d, twelve m., at "Washing- 
ton, D. C, from Secretary Stanton to General Grant at City Point, but not 
accompanied by any part of the voluminous matter so liberally lavished on 
the public in the New York journals of the 24th of April. That was the 
first and only time I ever saw that telegram, or had one word of instruc- 
tion on the important matters involved in it, and it does seem strange to 
me that every bar-room loafer in New York can read in the morning jour- 
nals "official" matter that is withheld from a general whose command 
extends from Kentucky to North Carolina. 

Within an hour a courier was riding from Durham's Station toward 
Hillsborough, with notice to General Johnston of the suspension of the 
truce, and renewing my demand for the surrender of the armies under his 
immediate command (see two letters of April 24th, six a. m.), and at 
twelve :>i. 1 had the receipt of his picket officer. I therefore published my 
Orders No. 62 to the troops, terminating the truce at twelve m. on the 26th, 
and ordered all to be in readiness to march at that hour, on the routes 
prescribed in Special Field Orders, No. 55, of April 14th, from the positions 
held April 18th. 

General Grant had orders from the President, through the Secretary of 
War, to direct military movements, and I explained to him the exact posi- 
tion of the troops, and he approved of it most emphatically, but he did not 
relieve me, or express a wish to assume command. All things were in 
readiness, when, on the evening of the 25th, I received another letter from 
General Johnston, asking another interview to renew negotiations. 

General Grant not only approved, but urged me to accept, and I 
appointed a meeting at our former place at noon of the 26th, the very hour 
fixed for the renewal of hostilities. General Johnston was delayed by an 
accident to his train, but at two p. m. arrived. We then consulted, concluded, 
and signed the final terms of capitulation. 

These were taken by me back to Raleigh, submitted to General Grant, 
and met his immediate approval and signature. General Johnston was not 
even aware of the presence of General Grant at Raleigh at the time. 

Thus was surrendered to us the second great army of the so-called Con- 
federacy ; and though undue importance has been given to the so-called ne- 
gotiations which preceded it, and a rebuke and public disfavor cast on me 
wholly unwarranted by the facts, I rejoice in saying that it was accom- 
plished without further ruin and devastation to the country ; without the loss 
of a single life to those gallant men who had followed me from the Mississippi 
to the Atlantic, and without subjecting brave men to the ungracious task 
of pursuing a fleeing foe that did not want to fight. As for myself. I know 



652 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



my motives, and challenge the instance, during the past four years, where 
an armed and defiant foe stood before me, that I did not go in for a fight, 
and I would blush for shame if I had ever insulted or struck a fallen foe. 

The instant the terms of surrender were approved by General Grant, I 
made my Orders, No. 65, assigning to each of my subordinate commanders 
his share of the work, and, with General Grant's approval, made Special 
Field Orders, No. 66, putting in motion my old army, no longer required in 
Carolina, northward for Richmond. 

General Grant left Raleigh at nine a. m. of the 27th, and I glory in the 
fact that, during his three days' stay with me, I did not detect in his 
language or manner one particle of abatement in the confidence, respect, 
and affection that have existed between us throughout all the varied events 
of the past war, and though we have honestly differed in opinion in other 
cases as well as this, still we respected each other's honest convictions. I 
still adhere to my then opinions, that by a few general concessions, 
''glittering generalities," all of which in the end must and will be conceded 
to the organized States of the South, that this day there would not be an 
armed battalion opposed to us within the broad area of the dominions of 
the United States. Robbers and assassins must, in any event, result from 
the disbandment of large armies, but even these should be, and could be, 
taken care of by the local civil authorities, without being made a charge 
on the national treasury. 

On the evening of the 28th, having concluded all business requiring my 
personal attention at Raleigh, and having conferred with every army com- 
mander, and delegated to him the authority necessary for his future action, 
I dispatched my head-quarter wagons by land along with the Seventeenth 
Corps, the office in charge of General Webster, from Newbern to Alexan- 
dria, Virginia, by sea, and in person, accompanied only by my personal 
staff, hastened to Savannah to direct matters in the interior of South Caro- 
lina and Georgia. 

I had received, across the rebel telegraph wires, cipher dispatches from 
General Wilson, at Macon, to the effect that he was in receipt of my orders 
No. 65, and would send General Upton's division to Augusta, and General 
McOook's division to Tallahassee, to receive the surrender of those garri- 
sons, take charge of the public property, and execute the paroles required 
by the terms of surrender. He reported a sufficiency of forage for his 
horses in south-west Georgia, but asked me to send him a supply of clothing, 
sugar, coffee, etc., by way of Augusta, Georgia, whence he could get it by 
rail. I therefore went rapidly to Goldsboro' and Wilmington, reaching the 
latter city at ten a. m. of the 29th, and the same day embarked for Hilton 
Head, in the blockade-runner Russia, Captain A. M. Smith. 

I found General Q. A. Gillmore, commanding Department of the South, 
at Hilton Head, on the evening of April 30th, and ordered him to send to 
Augusta at once what clothing and small stores he could spare for General 
Wilson, and open up a line of certain communication and supply with him 
at Macon. Within an hour the captured steamboats Jeff. Davis and Ama- 
zon, both adapted to the shallow and crooked navigation of the Savannah 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



River, were being loaded, the one at Savannah and the other at Hilton 
Head. The former started up the river on the first of May, in charge of 
a very intelligent officer (whose name I cannot recall) and forty-eight 
men (all the boat could carry), with orders to occupy temporarily the 
United States Arsenal at Augusta, and open up communication with Gen- 
eral Wilson, at Macon, in the event that General McCook's division of cav- 
alry was not already there. The Amazon followed next day, and General 
Gillmore had made the necessary orders for a brigade of infantry, to be 
commanded by General Molyneux, to follow by a land march to Augusta, 
as its permanent garrison ; another brigade of infantry was ordered to 
occupy Orangeburg, South Carolina — the point furthest in the interior that 
can at present be reached by rail from the sea-coast (Charleston). 

On the 1st of May I went on to Savannah, where General Gillmore also 
joined me, and the arrangements ordered for the occupation of Augusta 
were consummated. At Savannah I found the city in the most admirable 
police, under direction of Brevet Major-General Grover, and the citizens 
manifested the most unqualified joy to hear that, so far as they were con- 
cerned, the war was over. All classes, Union men as well as former rebels, 
did not conceal, however, the apprehensions naturally arising from a total 
ignorance of the political conditions to be attached to their future state. 
Any thing at all would be preferable to this dread uncertainty. 

On the evening of the 2d of May I returned to Hilton Head, and there, 
for the first time, received the New York papers of April 28th, containing 
Secretary Stanton's dispatch of nine a. m. of the 27th of April to General 
Dix, including General Halleck's from Richmond of nine p. m. the night 
before, which seems to have been rushed with extreme haste before an 
excited public, viz., morning of the 28th. You will observe from the dates 
that these dispatches were running back and forth from Richmond and 
"Washington to New York, and there published, while General Grant and I 
were together in Raleigh, North Carolina, adjusting, to the best of our 
ability, the terms of surrender of the only remaining formidable rebel army 
in existence at the time east of the Mississippi River. Not one word of 
intimation had been sent to me of the displeasure of the Government with 
my official conduct, but only the naked disapproval of a skeleton memo- 
randum sent properly for the action of the President of the United 
States. * * * * 

During the night of May 2d, at Hilton Head, having concluded my 
business in the Department of the South, I began my return to meet my 
troops, then marching toward Richmond from Raleigh. On the morning 
of the 3d, we ran into Charleston Harbor, where I had the pleasure to 
meet Admiral Dahlgren, w T ho had, in all my previous operations from 
Savannah northward, aided me with a courtesy and manliness that com- 
manded my entire respect and deep affection. Also General Hatch, who, 
from our first interview at his Tullifinnay camp, had caught the spirit of 
the move from Pocotaligo northward, and had largely contributed to our 
joint success in taking Charleston and the Carolina coast. Any one, who 
is not satisfied with war, should go and see Charleston, and he will pray 



654 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OP GENERAL GRANT. 



louder and deeper than ever, that the country may, in the long future, be 
spared any more war. Charleston and secession being synonymous terms, 
the city should be left as a sample, so that centuries will pass away before 
that false doctrine is again preached in our Union. 

We left Charleston on the evening of the 3d of May, and hastened with 
all possible speed back to Morehead City, which we reached at night on 
the 4th. I immediately communicated by telegraph to General Schofieid 
at Raleigh, and learned from him the pleasing fact that the Lieutenant- 
General commanding the Armies of the United States had reached the 
Chesapeake in time to countermand General Halleck's orders, and prevent 
his violating my truce, invading the area of my command, and driving 
Johnston's surrendering army into fragments. General Johnston had ful- 
filled his agreement to the very best of his ability, and the officers, charged 
with issuing the paroles at Greensboro', reported about thirty thousand 
(80,000) already made, and that the greater part of the Forth Carolina 
troops had gone home without waiting for their papers; but that all of 
them would, doubtless, come into some one of the military posts, the com- 
manders of which are authorized to grant then. About eight hundred 
(800) of the rebel cavalry had gone south, refusing to abide the terms of 
the surrender, and it was supposed they would make for Mexico. I would 
sincerely advise that they be encouraged to go and stay. They would be a 
nuisance to any civilized government, whether loose or in prison. 

With the exception of some plundering on the part of Lee's and John- 
ston's disbanded men, all else in North Carolina was quiet. "When, to the 
number of men surrendered at Greensboro 1 , are added those at Tallahassee, 
Augusta, and Macon, with the scattered squads who will come in at other 
military posts, I have no doubt fifty thousand (50,000) armed men will be 
disarmed and restored to civil pursuits, by the capitulation made near 
Durham's Station, Forth Carolina, on the 26th of April, and that, too, 
without the loss of a single life to us. 

On the 5th of May I received, and here subjoin, a further dispatch 
from General Schofieid, which contains inquiries I have been unable to 
satisfy, similar to those made by nearly every officer in my command, 
whose duty brings him in contact with citizens. I leave you to do what 
you think expedient to provide the military remedy. 

"By Telegraph fhom Ealeigh, N. C, May 5. 1S65. 

"To Major-General W. T. Shermax, Morehead City. 

" When General Grant was here, as you doubtless recollect, he said the 
lines had been extended to embrace this and other States south. The 
order, it seems, has been modified so as to include only Virginia and Ten- 
nessee. I think it would be an act of wisdom to open this State to trade 
at once. I hope the Government will make known its policy as to the 
organs of State government without delay. Affairs must necessarily be in 
a very unsettled state until that is done. The people are now in a mood 
to accept almost any thing which promises a definite settlement. What is 
to be done with the freedmen is the question of all, and it is the all-impor- 



MAJOR-GENERAL SHERMAN'S REPORT. 



655 



tant question. It requires prompt and wise action to prevent the negro 
from becoming a huge elephant on our hands. If I am to govern this 
State, it is important for me to know it at once. If another is to be sent 
here, it cannot be done too soon, for he will probably undo the most 
that I shall have done. I shall be glad to hear from you fully when 
you have time to write. I will send your message to General Tv ilson at 
once. 

"J. M. Schofield, Major-General/' 

I give this dispatch entire, to demonstrate how intermingled have be- 
come civil matters with the military, and how almost impossible it has 
become for an officer in authority to act a pure military part. There are 
no longer armed enemies in North Carolina, and a soldier can deal with 
no other sort. The marshals and sheriffs, with their posse (of which the 
military may become a part), are the only proper officers to deal with civil 
criminals and marauders. But I will not be drawn out into a discussion 
of this subject, but instance the case to show how difficult is the task 
become to military officers, when men of the rank, education, experi- 
ence, nerve, and good sense of General Schoneld feel embarrassed by 
them. 

General Schoneld, at Raleigh, has a well-appointed and well-disciplined 
command, is in telegraphic communication with the controlling parts of his 
department, and the remote ones in the direction of Georgia, as well as 
with "Washington, and has military possession of all strategic points. 

In like manner, General Gillmore is well situated in all respects, except 
as to rapid communication with the seat of the General Government. I 
leave him also with every man he ever asked for, and in full and quiet 
possession of every strategic point in his department. And General 
Wilson has. in the very heart of Georgia, the strongest, best appointed, 
and best equipped cavalry corps that ever fell under my command; and 
he has now, by my recent action, opened to him a source and route of 
supply, byway of Savannah River, that simplifies his military problem ; 
so that I think I may, with a clear conscience, leave them, and turn my 
attention once more to my special command — the army with which I have 
been associated through some of the most eventful scenes of this or any 
war. 

I hope and believe none of these commanders will ever have reason to 
reproach me for any " orders" they may have received from me. And the 
President of the United States may be assured that all of them are in 
position, ready and willing to execute to the letter, and in spirit, any orders 
lie may give. I shall henceforth cease to give them any orders at all, for 
the occasion that made them subordinate to me is past ; and I shall con- 
fine my attention to the army composed of the Fifteenth and Seventeenth, 
the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps, unless the commanding general of 
the armies of the United States orders otherwise. 

At four o'clock p. m., of May 9, 1 reached Manchester, on the James River, 
opposite Richmond, and found that all the four corps had arrived from 



656 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 




GENERAL SHERMAN'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY. 
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS- — NO. 76. 



The general commanding announces to the Armies of Tennessee and 
Georgia, that the time has come for us to part. Our work is done, and 
armed enemies no longer defy us. Some of you will be retained in service 
until further orders. And now that we are about to separate, to mingle 
with the civil world, it becomes a pleasing duty to recall to mind the situ- 
ation of national affairs, when, but little more than a year ago, we were 
gathered about the twining cliffs of Lookout Mountain, and all the future 
was wrapped in doubt and uncertainty. Three armies had come together 
from distant fields, with separate histories, yet bound by one common 
cause — the union of our country and the perpetuation of the Government 
of our inheritance. There is no need to recall to your memories Tunnel 
Hill, with its Rocky Face Mountain, and Buzzard Roost Gap, with the ugly 
forts of Dalton behind. "We were in earnest, and paused not for danger 
and difficulty, but dashed through Snake Creek Gap, and fell on Resaca, 
then on to the Etowah, to Dallas, Kenesaw, and the heats of summer 
found us on the banks of the Chattahoochie, far from home and de • 
pendent on a single road for supplies. Again, we were not to be held 
back by any obstacle, and crossed over, and fought four heavy battles 
for the possession of the citadel of Atlanta. That was the crisis of our 
history. A doubt still clouded our future ; but we solved the problem, 
and destroyed Atlanta, struck boldly across the State of Georgia, secured 
all the main arteries of life to our enemy, and Christmas found us at 
Savannah. "Waiting there only long enough to fill our wagons, we again 
began a march, which for peril, labor, and results, will compare with any 
ever made by an organized army. The floods of the Savannah, the swamps 
of the Combahee and Edisto, the high hills and rocks of the Santee, the 
fiat quagmires of the Pedee and Cape Fear Rivers, were all passed in mid- 
winter, with its floods and rains, in the face of an accumulating enemy; 
and after the battles of Averysboro' and Bentonville, we once more came 
out of the wilderness to meet our friends at Goldsboro'. Even then we 
paused only long enough to get new clothing, to reload our wagons, and 
again pushed on to Raleigh, and beyond, until we met our enemy, sueing 
for peace instead of war, arid offering to submit to the injured laws of his 



Head-Quaeters Military Division of the Mississippi, 
In the Field, Wasiiittrton, D. C, May 80, 1S65. 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



657 



and our country. As long as that enemy was defiant, nor mountains, nor 
rivers, nor swamps, nor hunger, nor cold, had checked us; but when he, 
who had fought us hard and persistently, offered submission, your general 
thought it wrong to pursue him further, and negotiations followed, which 
resulted, as you all know, in his surrender. How far the operations of the 
army have contributed to the overthrow of the Confederacy, of the peace 
which now dawns on us. must be judged by others, not by us. But that 
you have done all that men could do has been admitted by those in author- 
ity : and we have a right to join in the universal joy that fills our land, 
because the war is over, and our Government stands vindicated before the 
world by the joint action of the volunteer armies of the United States. 

To such as remain in the military service, your general need only re- 
mind you that successes in the past are due to hard work and discipline, 
and that the same work and discipline are equally important in the future. 
To sucri as go home he will only say, that our favored country is so grand, 
so extensive, so diversified, in climate, soil, and productions, that every 
man may surely find a home and occupation suited to his taste : and none 
should yield to the natural impotence sure to result from our past life of 
excitement and adventure. You will be invited to seek new adventure 
abroad ; but do not yield to the temptation, for it will lead only to death 
and disappointment. 

Your general now bids you all farewell, with the full belief that, as in 
war you have been good soldiers, so in peace you will make good citizens ; 
and if, unfortunately, new war should arise in our country, Sherman's 
army would be the first to buckle on the old armor, and come forth to 
defend and maintain the Government of our inheritance and choice. 

By order of 

Major-General W. T. Sheealax. 

L. M. Davtox, Assistant Adjutant-General. 



General Grant's great report of the campaign which 
closed the civil war, mil have a deep and imperishable 
interest : — 

OFFICIAL REPORT OF LIEUTEXANT-GEXERAL GRANT. 

Head-Quarters Armies of the Uxited States, ) 
Washington, D. C, July 22, 1S65. J 

See : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations 
of the Armies of the United States from the date of my appointment to 
command the same : 

NECESSITY OF A VERT LARGE FORCE. 



From an early period in the rebellion I had been impressed with the 
idea that active and continuous operations of all the troops that could be 
42 



658 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



brought into the field, regardless of season and weather, were necessary to 
a speedy termination of the war. The resources of the enemy and his 
numerical strength were far inferior to ours ; but as an offset to this, we 
had a vast territory, with a population hostile to the Government, to garri- 
son, and long lines of river and railroad communications to protect, to 
enable us to supply the operating armies. 

The armies in the East and West acted independently and without con- 
cert, like a balky team, no two ever pulling together, enabling the enemy 
to use to great advantage his interior lines of communication for transport- 
ing troops from east to west, re-enforcing the army most vigorously pressed, 
and to furlough large numbers, during seasons of inactivity on our part, to 
go to their homes and do the work of producing for the support of their 
armies. It was a question whether our numerical strength and resources 
were not more than balanced by these disadvantages and the enemy's 
superior position. 

From the first, I was firm in the conviction that no peace could be had 
that would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people, both 
North and South, until the military power of the rebellion was entirely 
broken. 

I therefore determined, first, to use the greatest number of troops prac- 
ticable against the armed force of the enemy; preventing him from using 
the same force at different seasons against first one and then another of 
our armies, and the possibility of repose for refitting and producing neces- 
sary supplies for carrying on resistance. Second, to hammer continuously 
against the armed force of the enemy and his resources, until by mere 
attrition, if in no other way, there should be nothing left to him but an 
equal submission, with the loyal section of our common country, to the 
constitution and laws of the land. 

These views have been kept constantly in mind, and orders given, and 
campaigns made, to carry them out. Whether they might have been 
better in conception and execution is for the people, who mourn the loss 
of friends fallen, and who have to pay the pecuniary cost, to say. All I 
can say is, that what I have done has been done conscientiously, to the 
best of my ability, and in what I conceived to be for the best interests of 
the whole country. 

THE SITUATION AT THE TIME OF HIS APPOINTMENT AS 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 

At the date when this report begins, the situation of the contending 
forces was about as follows : The Mississippi River was strongly garri- 
soned by Federal troops from St. Louis, Mo., to its mouth. The line of the 
Arkansas was also held, thus giving us armed possession of all west of the 
Mississippi, north of that stream. A few points in Southern Louisiana, not 
remote from the river, were held by us, together with a small garrison at 
and near the mouth of the Rio Grande. All the balance of the vast terri- 
tory of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, was in the almost undisputed pos- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



659 



session of the enemy, with an array of probably not less than eighty 
thousand effective men, that could have been brought into the field had 
there been sufficient opposition to have brought them out. The let-alone 
policy had demoralized this force so that probably but little more than 
one-half of it was ever present in garrison at any one time. But the one- 
half, or forty thousand men, with the bands of guerrillas scattered through 
Missouri, Arkansas, and along the Mississippi River, and the disloyal char- 
acter of much of the population, compelled the use of a large number of 
troops to keep navigation open on the river, and to protect the loyal people 
to the west of it. To the east of the Mississippi, we held substantially 
with the line of the Tennessee and Holston rivers, running eastward to 
include nearly all of the State of Tennessee. South of Chattanooga, a 
small foothold had been obtained in Georgia, sufficient to protect East Ten- 
nessee from incursions from the enemy's force at Dalton, Georgia. West 
Virginia was substantially within our lines. Virginia, with the exception 
of the northern border, the Potomac River, a small area about the mouth 
of James River, covered by the troops at Norfolk and Fortress Monroe, and 
the territory covered by the Army of the Potomac, lying along the Rapi- 
dan, was in the possession of the enemy. Along the sea-coast, footholds 
had been obtained at Plymouth, Washington, and Newbern, in North Caro- 
lina ; Beaufort, Folly and Morris Islands, Hilton Head, Fort Pulaski, and 
Port Royal, in South Carolina ; Fernandina and St. Augustine, in Florida. 
Key West and Pensacola were also in our possession, while all the impor- 
tant ports were blockaded by the navy. The accompanying map (a copy 
of which was sent to General Sherman and other commanders in March, 
1864) shows by red lines the territory occupied by us at the beginning of 
the rebellion, and at the opening of the campaign of 1864, while those in 
blue are the lines which it was proposed to occupy. 

Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerrillas and a large 
population disloyal to the Government, making it necessary to guard every 
foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. In the South a reign 
of military despotism prevailed, which made every man and boy capable of 
bearing arms a soldier, and those who could not bear arms in the field 
acted as provosts for collecting deserters and returning them. This enabled 
the enemy to bring almost his entire strength into the field. 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE GRAND CAMPAIGN. 

The enemy had concentrated the bulk of his forces east of the Missis- 
sippi into two armies, commanded by Generals R. E. Lee and J. E. John- 
ston, his ablest and best generals. The army commanded by Lee occupied 
the south bank of the Rapidan, extending from Mine Run westward, 
strongly intrenched, covering and defending Richmond, the rebel capital, 
against the Army of the Potomac. The army under Johnston occupied a 
strongly intrenched position at Dalton, Georgia, covering and defending 
Atlanta, Georgia, a place of great importance as a railroad center, against 
the armies under Major-General W. T. Sherman. In addition to these 



660 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



armies, he had a large cavalry force under Forrest in northeast Mississippi; 
a considerable force, of all arms, in the Shenandoah Valley, and in the 
western part of Virginia, and extreme eastern part of Tennessee ; and also 
confronting our sea-coast garrisons, and holding blockaded ports where we 
had no foothold upon land. 

These two armies, and the cities covered and defended by them, were 
the main objective points of the campaign. 

Major-General W. T. Sherman, who was appointed to the command of 
the Military Division of the Mississippi, embracing all the armies and ter- 
ritory east of the Mississippi River to the Alleghanies, and the Depart- 
ment of Arkansas, west of the Mississippi, had the immediate command of 
the armies operating against Johnston. 

Major-General George G. Meade had the immediate command of the 
Army of the Potomac, from where I exercised general supervision of the 
movements of all our armies. 

INSTEITCTIONS TO GENERAL SHERMAN. 

General Sherman was instructed to move against Johnston's army, to 
break it up, and to go into the interior of the enemy's country as far as he 
could, inflicting all the damage he could upon their war resources. If the 
enemy in his front showed signs of joining Lee, to follow him up to the 
full extent of his ability, while I would prevent the concentration of Lee 
upon him if it was in the power of the Army of the Potomac to do so. 
More specific written instructions were not given, for the reason that I had 
talked over with him the plans of the campaign, and was satisfied that he 
understood them, and would execute them to the fullest extent possible. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL BANKS. 

Major-General N. P. Banks, then on an expedition up Red River against 
Shreveport, Louisiana (which had been organized previous to my appoint- 
ment to command), was notified by me on the 15th of March of the im- 
portance it was that Shreveport should be taken at the earliest possible 
day, and that if he found that the taking of it would occupy from ten to 
fifteen days more time than General Sherman had given his troops to be 
absent from their command, he would send them back at the time specified 
by General Sherman, even if it led to the abandonment of the main object 
of the Red River expedi- ion, for this force was necessary to movements 
east of the Mississippi; that, should his expedition prove successful, he 
would hold Shreveport and the Red River with such force as he might 
deem necessary, and return the balance of his troops to the neighborhood of 
New Orleans, commencing no move for the further acquisition of territory, 
unless it was to make that then held by him more easily held ; that it might 
be a part of the spring campaign to move against Mobile ; that it certainly 
would be, if troops enough could be obtained to make it without embar- 
rassing other movements ; that New Orleans would be the point of depar- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANTS REPORT. 661 



tare for such an expedition ; also, that I had directed General Steele to 
make a real move from Arkansas, as suggested by him (General Bankfi), 
instead of a demonstration, as Steele thought advisable. 

On the 31st of March, in addition to the foregoing notification and 
directions, he was instructed as follows : — 

"1. If successful in your expedition against Shreveport, that you turn 
over the defense of the Red River to General Steele and the navy. 

"2. That you abandon Texas entirely, with the exception of your hold 
upon the Rio Grande. This can be held with four thousand men, if they 
will turn their attention immediately to fortifying their positions. At least 
one-half of the force required for this service might be taken from the 
colored troops. 

" 3. By properly fortifying on the Mississippi River, the force to guard it 
from Port Hudson to New Orleans can be reduced to ten thousand men, 
if not to a less number. Six thousand more would then hold all the rest of 
the territory necessary to hold until active operations can again be resumed 
west of the river, xiccording to your last return, this would give you a 
force of over thirty thousand effective men with which to move against 
Mobile. To this I expect to add five thousand men from Missouri. If, how- 
ever, you think the force here stated too small to hold the territory regard- 
ed as necessary to hold possession of, I would say concentrate at least twenty- 
five thousand men of your present command for operations against Mobile. 
"With these and such additions as I can give you from elsewhere, lose no 
time in making a demonstration, to be followed by an attack upon Mobile. 
Two or more iron-clads will be ordered to report to Admiral Farra- 
gut. This gives him a strong naval fleet with which to co-operate. You 
can make your own arrangements with the Admiral for his co-operation, 
and select your own line of approach. My own idea of the matter is that 
Pascagoula shoud be your base ; but, from your long service in the Gulf 
Department, you will know best about the matter. It is intended that 
your movements shall co-operate with movements elsewhere, and you can- 
not now start too soon. All I would now add is, that you commence the 
concentration of your forces at once. Preserve a profound secresy of what 
you intend doing, and start at the earliest possible moment. 

"U. S. Gbant, Lieutenant-GeneraL 

"M^jor-General N. P. Banks. 1 ' 

INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL MEADE. 

Major-General Meade was instructed that Lee's army would be his ob- 
jective point ; that wherever Lee went, he would go also. For his move- 
ment, two plans presented themselves : One to cross the Rapidan below 
Lee, moving by his right flank ; the other above, moving by his left. Each 
presented advantages over the other, with corresponding objections. By 
crossing above, Lee would be cut oft from all chance of ignoring Richmond, 
or going North on a raid ; but if we took this route, all we did would have 
to be done while the rations we started with held out. Besides, it separat- 



662 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT 



ed us from Butler, so that lie could not be directed how to co-operate. If 
we took the other route, Brandy Station could be used as a base of .sup- 
plies until another was secured on the York or James River. Of these, 
however, it was decided to take the lower route. 

INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL BUTLER. 

The following letter of instruction was addressed to Major-General B. 
F. Butler :— 

Fortress Monroe, Yikqinia, April 2, 1881 
"Genebal: — In the spring campaign, which it is desirable shall com- 
mence at as early a day as practicable, it is proposed to have co-operative 
action of all the armies in the field, as far as this object can be accom- 
plished. 

" It will not be possible to unite our armies into two or three large ones 
to act as so many units, owing to the absolute necessity of holding on to 
the territory already taken from the enemy. But, generally speaking, con- 
centration can be practically effected by armies moving to the interior of 
the enemy's country from the territory they have to guard. By such 
movement they interpose themselves between the enemy and the country 
to be guarded, thereby reducing the number necessary to guard important 
points, or at least occupy the attention of a part of the enemy's force, if 
no greater object is gained. Lee's army and Richmond being the greater 
objects toward which our attention must be directed in the next campaign, 
it is desirable to unite all the force we can against them. The necessity of 
covering Washington with the Army of the Potomac, and of covering your 
department with your army, makes it impossible to unite these forces at 
the beginning of any move. I propose, therefore, what comes nearest this 
of any thing that seems practicable: The Army of the Potomoc will act 
from its present base, Lee's army being the objective point. You will col- 
lect all the forces from your command that can be spared from garrison 
duty, I should say not less than twenty thousand effective men, to operate 
on the south side of James River, Richmond being your objective point. 
To the force you already have will be added about ten thousand men from 
South Carolina, under Major-General Gillmore, who will command them in 
person. Major-General W. F. Smith is ordered to report to you, to com- 
mand the troops sent into the field from your own department. 

"General Gillmore will be ordered to report to you at Fortress Monroe, 
with all the troops on transports, by the 18th instant, or as soon thereafter 
as practicable. Should you not receive notice by that time to move, you 
wiJl make such disposition of them and your other forces as you may deem 
best calculated to deceive the enemy as to the real move to be made. 

" When you are notified to move, take City Point with as much force as 
possible. Fortify, or rather intrench, at once, and concentrate all your 
troops for the field there as rapidly as you can. From City Point, direc- 
tions cannot be given at this time for your further movements. 

" The fact that has already been stated — that is, that Richmond is to be 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 663 



your objective point, and that there is to be co-operation between your 
force and the Army of the Potomac — must be your guide. This indicates 
the necessity of your holding close to the south bank of the James River 
as you advance. Then, should the enemy be forced into his intrenchments 
in Richmond, the Army of the Potomac would follow, and, by means of 
transports, the two armies would become a unit. 

" All the minor details of your advance are left entirely to your direc- 
tion. If, however, you think it practicable to use your cavalry south of 
you so as to cut the railroad about Hick's Ford about the time of the gen- 
eral advance, it would be of immense advantage. 

" You will please forward for my information, at the earliest practicable 
day, all orders, details, and instructions you may give for the execution of 
this order. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major-General B. F. Butler." 

On the 16th, these instructions were substantially reiterated. On the 
19th, in order to secure full co-operation between his army and that of 
General Meade, he was informed that I expected him to move from Fortress 
Monroe the same day that General Meade moved from Culpepper. The 
exact time I was to telegraph him as soon as it was fixed, and that it would 
not be earlier than the 27th of April ; that it was my intention to fight Lee 
between Culpepper and Richmond, if he would stand. Should he, how- 
ever, fall back into Richmond, I would follow up and make a junction with 
his (General Butler's) army on the James River; that, could I be certain 
he would be able to invest Richmond on the south side, so as to have his 
left resting on the James above the city, I would form the junction there : 
that circumstances might make this course advisable any how; that he 
should use every exertion to secure footing as far up the south side of the 
river as he could, and as soon as possible after the receipt of orders to 
move ; that, if he could not carry the city, he should at least detain as large 
a force as possible. 

In co-operation with the main movements against Lee and Johnston, I 
was desirous of using all other troops necessarily kept in departments re- 
mote from the fields of immediate operations, and also those kept in the 
background for the protection of our extended lines between the loyal 
States and the armies operating against them. 

THE SHErTASTDOAH VALLEY. 

A very considerable force, under command of Major-General Sigel, was 
so held for the protection of West Virginia and the frontiers of Maryland 
and Pennsylvania. Whilst these troops could not be withdrawn to distant 
fields "without exposing the North to invasion by comparatively small bodies 
of the enemy, they could act directly to their front, and give better pro- 
tection than if lying idle in garrison. By such movement they would 
either compel the enemy to detach largely for the protection of his sup- 
X->lies and lines of communication, or he would lose them. 



604 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



General Sigel was therefore directed to organize all his available force 
into two expeditions, to move from Beverly and Charleston, under com- 
mand of Generals Ord and Crook, against the East Tennessee and Virginia 
Railroad. Subsequently, General Ord having been relieved at his own re- 
quest, General Sigel was instructed, at his own suggestion, to give up the 
expedition by Beverly, and to form two columns, one under General Crook, 
on the Kanawha, numbering about ten thousand men, and one on the 
Shenandoah, numbering about seven thousand men ; the one on the She- 
nandoah to assemble between Cumberland and the Shenandoah, and the 
infantry and artillery advanced to Cedar Creek, with such cavalry as could 
be made available at the moment, to threaten the enemy in the Shenandoah 
Valley, and advance as far as possible, while General Crook would take 
.possession of Lewisburgh with part of his force, and move down the Ten- 
nessee Railroad, doing as much damage as he could, destroying the New 
River Bridge, and the salt-works at Saltville, Virginia. 

Owing to the weather and bad condition of the roads, operations were 
delayed until the 1st of May, when, every thing being in readiness, and the 
roads favorable, orders were given for a general movement of all the armies 
not later than the 4th of May. 

GENERAL BUTLER 7 S ATTEMPT UPON RICHMOND. 

My first object being to break the military power of the rebellion, and 
capture the enemy's important strongholds, made me desirous that General 
Butler should succeed in his movement against Richmond, as that would 
tend more than any thing else, unless it were the capture of Lee's army, 
to accomplish this desired result in the East. If he failed, it was my deter- 
mination, by hard fighting, either to compel Lee to retreat, or so to cripple 
him, that he could not detach a large force to go North, and still retain 
enough for the defense of Richmond. It was well understood, by both 
Generals Butler and Meade, before starting on the campaign, that it was 
my intention to put both their armies south of the James River, in case of 
failure to destroy Lee without it. 

Before giving General Butler his instructions, I visited him at Fortress 
Monroe, and in conversation pointed out the apparent importance of get- 
ting possession of Petersburg, and destroying railroad communication as far 
south as possible. Believing, however, in the practicability of capturing 
Richmond, unless it was re-enforced, I made that the objective point of his 
operations. As the Army of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with 
him, Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy did not 
have troops elsewhere to bring to the defense of the city in time to meet a 
rapid movement from the north of James River. 

HIGH COMPLIMENT TO GENERAL MEADE. 

I may here state that, commanding all the armies as I did, I tried, as 
far as possible, to leave General Meade in independent comniand of the 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 665 



Army of the Potomac. My instructions for that army were all through 
him, and were general in their nature, leaving all the details and the exe- 
cution to him. The campaigns that followed proved him to be the right 
man in the right place. His commanding always in the presence of an 
officer superior to him in rank has drawn from him much of that public 
attention that his zeal and ability entitle him to, and which he would other- 
wise have received. 

BEGINNING OE THE GREAT MOVEMENT AND THE BATTLES 

WITH LEE. 

The movement of the Army of the Potomac commenced early on the 
morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate direction and orders of 
Major-General Meade, pursuant to instructions. Before night the whole 
army was across the Rapidan (the Fifth and Sixth Corps crossing at Ger- 
mania Ford, and the Second in advance), with the greater part of its 
trains, numbering about four thousand wagons, meeting with but slight 
opposition. The average distance traveled by the troops that day was 
about twelve miles. This I regarded as a great success, and it removed 
from my mind the most serious apprehensions I had entertained — that of 
crossing the river in the face of an active, large, well-appointed, and ably- 
commanded army, and how so large a train was to be carried through a 
hostile country and protected. Early on the 5th, the advance corps (the 
Fifth, Major-General G. K. Warren commanding) met and engaged the 
enemy outside his intrenchments near Mine Run. The battle raged 
furiously all day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as 
the corps could be got upon the field, which, considering the density of 
the forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable 
promptness. 

General Burnside, with the Ninth Corps, was, at the time the Army of 
the Potomac moved, left with the bulk of his corps at the crossing of the 
Rappahannock River and Alexandria Railroad, holding the road back to 
Bull Run, with instructions not to move until he received notice that a 
crossing of the Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such 
notice was received. This crossing he was apprised of on the afternoon of 
the 4th. By six o'clock of the morning of the 6th, he was leading life 
corps into action near the Wilderness Tavern, some of his troops having 
marched a distance of over thirty miles, crossing both the Rappahannock 
and Rapidan Rivers. Considering that a large portion, probably two-thirds 
of his command, was composed of new troops, unaccustomed to marches 
and carrying the accouterments of a soldier, this was a remarkable 
march. 

The battle of the Wilderness was renewed by us at five o'clock on the 
morning of the 6th, and continued with unabated fury until darkness set 
in, each army holding substantially the same position that they had on the 
evening of the 5th. After dark the enemy made a feeble attempt to turn 
our right flank, capturing several hundred prisoners and creating consider- 



666 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



able confusion. But the promptness of General Sedgwick, who was 
personally present and commanded that part of our line, soon re-formed it 
and restored order. On the morning of the 7th, reconnoissances showed 
that the enemy had fallen behind his intrenched lines, with pickets to the 
front, covering a part of the battle-field. From this it was evident to my 
mind that the two days' fighting had satisfied him of his inability to further 
maintain the contest in the open field, notwithstanding his advantage of 
position, and that he would wait an attack behind his works. I therefore 
determined to push on and put my whole force between him and Rich- 
mond ; and orders were at once issued for a movement by his right flank. 
On the night of the 7th, the march was commenced toward Spottsylvania 
Court-House, the Fifth Corps moving on the most direct road. But the 
enemy, having become apprised of our movement, and having the shorter 
line, was enabled to reach there first. On the 8th, General Warren met a 
force of the enemy which had been sent out to oppose and delay his 
advance, to gain time to fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This 
force was steadily driven back on the main force, within the recently con- 
structed works, after considerable fighting, resulting in severe loss to both 
sides. On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a raid 
against the enemy's lines of communication with Richmond. The 9th, 
10th, and 11th, were spent in maneuvering and fighting, without decisive 
results. Among the killed on the 9th, was that able and distinguished 
soldier, Major-General John Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth Army Corps. 
Major-General H. G. Wright succeeded him in command. Early on the 
morning of the 12th, a general attack was made on the enemy in position. 
The Second Corps, Major-General Hancock commanding, carried a salient 
of his line, capturing most of Johnson's division of Ewell's corps and 
twenty pieces of artillery. But the resistance was so obstinate that the 
advantage gained did not prove decisive. The 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 
and 18th, were consumed in maneuvering and awaiting the arrival of re- 
enforcements from Washington. Deeming it impracticable to make any 
further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania Court-House, orders were 
issued on the 18th, with a view to a movement to the North Anna, to com- 
mence at. twelve o'clock on the night of the 19th. Late in the afternoon 
of the 19th, Ewell's corps came out of its works on our extreme right 
flank ; but the attack ,was promptly repulsed, with heavy loss. This de- 
layed the movement to the North Anna until the night of the 21st, when 
it was commenced. But the enemy, again having the shorter line, and 
being in possession of the main roads, was enabled to reach the North 
Anna in advance of us, and took position behind it. The Fifth Corps 
reached the North Anna on the afternoon of the 23d, closely followed by 
the Sixth Corps. The Second and Ninth Corps got up about the same 
time, the Second holding the railroad bridge, and the Ninth lying between 
that and the Jericho Ford. General Warren effected a crossing the same 
afternoon, and got a position without much opposition. Soon after get- 
ting into position, he was violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy with 
great slaughter. On the 25th, General Sheridan rejoined the Army of the 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



667 



Potomac from the raid on which he started from Spottsylvania, having 
destroyed the depots at Beaver Dam and Ashland Stations, four trains of 
cars, large supplies of rations, and many miles of railroad-track ; recaptured 
about four hundred of our men, on their way to Richmond as prisoners of 
war ; met and defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern ; carried the 
first line of works around Richmond (but finding the second line too 
strong to be carried by assault) ; recrossed to the north bank of the Chick- 
ahominy at Meadow's Bridge, under heavy fire, and moved by a detour to 
Haxall's Landing, on the James River, where he communicated with Gen- 
eral Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the 
enemy's cavalry force, and making it comparatively easy to guard our trains. 

GENERAL BUTLER'S CO-OPERATION — FIGHT AT DRTJRY'S 

BLUEE. 

General Butler moved his main force up the James River, in pursuance 
of instructions, on the 4th of May, General Gillmore having joined him 
with the Tenth Corps. At the same time he sent a force of eighteen 
hundred cavalry, by way of West Point, to form a junction with him 
wherever he might get a foothold, and a force of three thousand cavalry, 
under General Kautz, from Suffolk, to operate against the roads south of 
Petersburg and Richmond. On the 5th he occupied, without opposition, 
both City Point and Bermuda Hundred, his movement being a complete 
surprise. On the 6th he was in position with his main army, and com- 
menced intrenching. On the 7th he made a reconnoissance against the 
Petersburg and Richmond Railroad, destroying a portion of it after some 
fighting. On the 9th he telegraphed as follows : — 

" Head-Quarters near Bermuda Landing, May 9, 1864. 

" Our operations may be summed up in a few words. With seventeen 
hundred cavalry we have advanced up the Peninsula, forced the Chicka- 
hominy, and have safely brought them to our present position. These 
were colored cavalry, and are now holding our advanced pickets toward 
Richmond. 

"General Kautz, with three thousand cavalry from Suffolk, on the same 
day with our movement up James River, forced the Blackwater, burned 
the railroad bridge at Stony Creek, below Petersburg, cutting in two Beau- 
regard's force at that point. 

"We have landed here, intrenched ourselves, destroyed many miles of 
railroad, and got a position which, with proper supplies, we can hold against 
the whole of Lee's army. I have ordered up the supplies. 

" Beauregard, with a large portion of his force, was left south by the 
cutting of the railroads by Kautz. That portion which reached Peters- 
burg, under Hill, I have whipped to-day, killing and wounding many and 
taking many prisoners, after a severe and well-contested fight. 

" General Grant will not be troubled with any further ro-enforcements 
to Lee from Beauregard's force. 

"Benjamin F. Butlee, Major-General. 
"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War." 



668 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GEANT 



On the evening of the 13th and morning of the 14th he carried a 
portion of the enemy's first line of defenses at Drury's Bluff, or Fort 
Darling, with small loss. The time thus consumed from the 6th lost to us 
the benefit of the surprise and capture of Richmond and Petersburg, 
enabling, as it did, Beauregard to collect his loose forces in North and 
South Carolina and bring them to the defense of those places. On the 
16th the enemy attacked General Butler in his position in front of Drury's 
Bluff. He was forced back, or drew back, into his intrenchments between 
the forks of the James and Appomattox Rivers, the enemy intrenching 
strongly in his front, thus covering his railroads, the city, and all that was 
valuable to him. His army, therefore, though in a position of great 
security, was as completely shut off from further operations directly against 
Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked. It required but a 
comparatively small force of the enemy to hold it there. 

KAUTZ'S CAVALRY RAID. 

On the 12th, General Kautz, with his cavalry, was started on a raid 
against the Danville Railroad, which he struck at Coalfield, Powhatan, and 
Chola Stations, destroying them, the railroad track, two freight-trains, and 
one locomotive, together with large quantities of commissary and other 
stores; thence crossing to the South Side Road, struck it at Wilson's, 
Wellsville, and Black and White Stations, destroying the road and station- 
houses ; thence he proceeded to City Point, which he reached on the 18th. 

CAPTURE OF PLYMOUTH. 

On the 19th of April, and prior to the movement of General Butler, the 
enemy, with a land force under General Hoke, and an iron-clad ram, 
attacked Plymouth, North Carolina, commanded by General H. W. Wessels, 
and our gunboats there, and after severe fighting the place was carried by 
assault and the entire garrison and armament captured. The gunboat 
Smithjield was sunk and the Miami disabled. 

THE NINTH CORPS GOES TO HELP MEADE. 

The army sent to operate against Richmond having hermetically sealed 
itself up at Bermuda Hundred, the enemy was enabled to bring the most 
if not all the re-enforcements brought from the South by Beauregard 
against the Army of the Potomac. In addition to this re-enforcement, a 
very considerable one, probably not less than fifteen thousand men were 
obtained by calling in the scattered troops under Breckinridge from the 
western part of Virginia. 

The position at Bermuda Hundred was as easy to defend as it was diffi- 
cult to operate from against the enemy. I determined, therefore, to bring 
from it all available forces, leaving enough only to secure what had been 
gained, and accordingly, on the 22d, I directed that they be sent forward, 
under command of Major-General W. F. Smith, to join the Army of the 
Potomac. 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 669 

On the 24-th of May, the Ninth Army Corps, commanded by Major- 
General A. E. Burnside, was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and 
from this time forward constituted a portion of Major-General Meade's 
command. 

OPERATIONS ABOVE RICHMOND. 

Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger than either 
of his previous ones, I withdrew on the night of the 26th to the north 
bank of the North Anna, and moved via Hanovertown to turn the enemy's 
position by his right. 

Generals Torbert's and Merritt's divisions of cavalry, under Sheridan, 
and the Sixth Corps, led the advance ; crossed the Pamunky River at Han- 
overtown after considerable fighting, and on the 28th the two divisions of 
cavalry had a severe but successful engagement with the enemy at Haw's 
shop. On the 29th and 80th we advanced, with heavy skirmishing, to the 
Hanover Court-House and Cold Harbor road, and developed the enemy's 
position north of the Chickahominy. Late on the evening of the last day 
the enemy came out and attacked our left, but was repulsed with very 
considerable loss. An attack was immediately ordered by General Meade 
along his whole line, which resulted in driving the enemy from a part of 
his intrenched skirmish line. 

On the 81st, General Wilson's division of cavalry destroyed the railroad 
bridges over the South Anna River, after defeating the enemy's cavalry. 
General Sheridan, on the same day, reached Cold Harbor, and held it until 
relieved by the Sixth Corps and General Smith's command, which had just 
arrived, via White House, from General Butler's army. 

On the 1st day of June an attack was made at 5 p. m. by the Sixth 
Corps and the troops under General Smith, the other corps being held in 
readiness to advance on the receipt of orders. This resulted in our carry- 
ing and holding the enemy's first line of works in front of the right of the 
Sixth Corps and in front of General Smith. During the attack, the enemy 
made repeated assaults on each of the corps not engaged in the main 
attack, but was repulsed with heavy loss in every instance. That night 
he made several assaults to regain what he had lost in the day, but failed. 
The 2d was spent in getting troops into position for an attack on the 3d. 
On the 3d of June we again assaulted the enemy's works, in the hope of 
driving him from his position. In this attempt our loss was heavy, while 
that of the enemy, I have reason to believe, was comparatively light. It 
wa3 the only general attack made from the Rapidan to the James which 
did not inflict upon the enemy losses to compensate for our own. I would 
not be understood as saying that all previous attacks resulted in victories 
to our arms, or accomplished as much as I had hoped from them; but they 
inflicted upon the enemy severe losses, which tended, in the end, to the 
complete overthrow of the rebellion. 

From the proximity of the enemy to his defenses around Richmond, it 
was impossible, by any flank movement, to interpose between him and the 
city. I was still in a condition to either move by his left flank and invest 



670 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENEEAL GRANT. 

Richmond from the north side, or continue my move by his right flank to 
the south side of the James. While the former might have been better as 
a covering for "Washington, yet a full survey of ail the ground satisfied me 
that it would be impracticable to hold a line north and east of Richmond 
that would protect the Fredericksburg Railroad — a long, vulnerable line, 
which would exhaust much of our strength to guard, and that would have 
to be protected to supply the army, and would leave open to the enemy all 
his lines of communication on the south side of the James. My idea, from 
the start, had been to beat Lee's army north of Richmond, if possible. 
Then, after destroying his lines of communication north of the James River, 
to transfer the army to the south side, and besiege Lee in Richmond, or fol- 
low him south, if he should retreat. After the battle of the Wilderness, it 
was evident that the enemy deemed it of the first importance to run no 
risks with the army he then had. He acted purely on the defensive behind 
breastworks, or feebly on the offensive immediately in front of them, and 
where, in case of repulse, he could easily retire behind them. Without a 
greater sacrifice of life than I was willing to make, all could not be accom- 
plished that I had designed north of Richmond. I therefore determined to 
continue to hold substantially the ground we then occupied, taking advan- 
tage of any favorable circumstances that might present themselves, until the 
cavalry could be sent to Charlottesville and Gordonsville, to effectually 
break up the railroad connection between Richmond and the Shenandoah 
Valley and Lynchburg ; and, when the cavalry got well off, to move the 
army to the south side of the James River, by the enemy's right flank, 
where I felt I could cut off all his sources of supply, except by the canal 

sheridan's raid toward lynchburg. 

On the 7th, two divisions of cavalry, under General Sheridan, got off on 
the expedition against the Virginia Central Railroad, with instructions to 
Hunter, whom I hoped he would meet near Charlottesville, to join his forces 
to Sheridan's, and, after the work laid out for them was thoroughly done, 
to join the Army of the Potomac, by the route laid down in Sheridan's 
instructions. 

FIRST ATTEMPTS ON PETERSBURG. 

On the 10th of June, General Butler sent a force of infantry, under Gen- 
eral Gillmore, and cavalry, under General Kautz, to capture Petersburg, if 
possible, and destroy the railroad and common bridges across the Appomat- 
tox. The cavalry carried the works on the south side, and penetrated well 
in toward the town, but were forced to retire. General Gillmore, finding 
the works which he approached very strong, and deeming an assault im- 
practicable, returned to Bermuda Hundred without attempting one. 

Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, I sent back 
to Bermuda Hundred and City Point General Smith's command, by water, 
via the White House, to reach there in advance of the Army of the Potomac. 



LTEUTENANT-GENEKAL GRANT'S REPORT. 671 



This was for the express purpose of securing Petersburg before the enemy, 
becoming aware of our intention, could re-enforce the place. 

THE COLD HARBOR MOVEMENT. 

The movement from Cold Harbor commenced after dark on the evening 
of the 12th ; one division of cavalry, under General Wilson, and the Fifth 
Corps, crossed the Chiekahominy at Long Bridge, and moved out to White 
Oak Swamp, to cover the crossings of the other corps. The advance corps 
reached James River, at Wilcox's Landing and Charles City Court-House, 
on the night of the 13th. 

MAGNITUDE AND DIFFICULTIES OF THE MARCH TOWARD 

RICHMOND. 

During three long years the Armies of the Potomac and Northern Vir- 
ginia had been confronting each other. In that time they had fought more 
desperate battles than it probably ever before fell to the lot of two armies 
to fight, without materially changing the vantage-ground of either. The 
Southern press and people, with more shrewdness than was displayed 
in the North, finding that they had failed to capture Washington and march 
on to New Tork, as they had boasted they would do, assumed that they 
only defended their capital and Southern territory. Hence, Antietam, 
Gettysburgh, and all the other battles that had been fought, were by them 
set down as failures on our part, and victories for them. Their army 
believed this. It produced a morale which could only be overcome by 
desperate and continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilderness, 
Spottsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they 
were on our side, were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled 
him as to make him wary ever after of taking the offensive. His losses in 
men were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in 
the Wilderness, almost invariably the attacking party ; and when he did 
attack it was in the open field. The details of these battles, which, for 
endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery, have rarely been sur- 
passed, are given in the report of Major-General Meade, and the subordi- 
nate reports accompanying it. 

During the campaign of forty-three days, from the Rapidan to James 
River, the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting base, by wagons, 
over narrow roads, through a densely-wooded country, with a lack of 
wharves at each new base from which to conveniently discharge vessels. 
Too much credit cannot, therefore, be awarded to the Quartermaster and 
Commissary Departments for the zeal and efficiency displayed by them. 
Under the general supervision of the Chief Quartermaster, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral R. Ingalls, the trains were made to occupy all the available roads 
between the army and our water base, and but little difficulty was experi- 
enced in protecting them. 



672 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



THE SHENANDOAH — SIGEL SUPERSEDED BY HUNTER. 

Tlie movement of the Kanawha and Shenandoah Valleys, under Gen- 
eral Sigel, commenced on the 1st of May. Gen. Crook, who had the imme- 
diate command of the Kanawha expedition, divided his forces into two 
columns, giving one, composed of cavalry, to General Averill. They 
crossed the mountains by separate routes. Averill struck the Tennessee 
and Virginia Railroad, near Wytheville, on the 10th, and, proceeding to 
New River and Christiansburg, destroyed the road, several important 
bridges and depots, including New River Bridge, forming a junction with 
Crook at Union on the 15th. General Sigel moved up the Shenandoah 
Valley, met the enemy at New-Market on the 15th, and, after a severe 
engagement, was defeated with heavy loss, and retired behind Cedar 
Creek. Not regarding the operations of General Sigel as satisfactory, I 
asked his removal from command, and Major-General Hunter was ap- 
pointed to supersede him. His instructions were embraced in the follow- 
ing dispatches to Major-General H. *W. Halleck, Chief of Staff of the 
army : 

"N":eae Spottsyltajoa Coxtbt-Hoitse, Va., ) 
May 20, 1864. J 

" The enemy are evidently relying for supplies greatly on such as are 
brought over the branch road running through Staunton. On the whole, 
therefore, I think it would be better for General Hunter to move in that 
direction ; reach Staunton and Gordonsville, or Charlottesville, if he does 
not meet too much opposition. If he can hold at bay a force equal to his 
own, he will be doing good service. ***** 

U U. S. Gkant, Lieutenant- General. 

"Major-General H. W. Halleck:." 

"Jericho Fobd, Va., May 25, 1864. 

" If Hunter can possibly get to Charlottesville and Lynchburg, he should 
do so, living on the country. The railroads and canal should be destroyed 
beyond possibility of repairs for weeks. Completing this, he could find his 
way back to his original base, or from about Gordonsville join this army. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major-General H. W. Halleck." 

HUNTER'S PUSH TOWARD LYNCHBURG. 

General Hunter immediately took up the offensive, and, moving up the 
Shenandoah Valley, met the enemy on the 5th of June at Piedmont, and 
after a battle of ten hours routed and defeated him, capturing on the field 
of battle fifteen hundred men, three pieces of artillery, and three hundred 
stand of small-arms. On the 8th of the same month, he formed a junction 
with Crook and Averill at Staunton, from which place he moved direct on 
Lynchburg, via Lexington, which place he reached and invested on the 16th 
day of June. Up to this time he was very successful, and but for the diffi- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



673 



culty of taking with him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march, 
through a hostile country, he would no doubt have captured that, to the 
enemy, important point. The destruction of the enemy's supplies and 
manufactures was very great. To meet this movement under General 
Hunter, General Lee sent a force, perhaps equal to a corps, a part of which 
reached Lynchburg a short time before Hunter. After some skirmishing 
on the 17th and 18th, General Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to 
give battle, retired from before the place. Unfortunately, this want of am- 
munition left him no choice of route for his return but by way of Kanawha. 
This lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks from the defense 
of the North. 

Had General Hunter moved by way of Charlottesville, instead of Lexing- 
ton, as his instructions contemplated, he would have been in a position to 
have covered the Shenandoah Valley against the enemy, should the force 
he met have seemed to endanger it. If it did not, he would have been 
within easy distance of the James River Canal, on the main line of commu- 
nication between Lynchburg and the force sent for its defense. I have 
never taken exception to the operations of General Hunter, and I am not 
now disposed to find fault with him, for I have no doubt he acted within what 
he conceived to be the spirit of his instructions, and the interests of the ser- 
vice. The promptitude of his movements and his gallantry should entitle 
him to the commendation of his country. 

MEADE'S ARMY CROSSES THE JAMES RIVER, 

To return to the Army of the Potomac. The Second Corps commenced 
crossing the James River on the morning of the 14th, by ferry-boats, at 
"Wilcox's Landing. The laying of the pontoon bridge was completed 
about midnight of the 14th, and the crossing of the balance of the army 
was rapidly pushed forward by both bridge and ferry. 

THE FIRST VICTORIES BEFORE PETERSBURG. 

After the crossing had commenced, I proceeded by a steamer to Ber- 
muda Hundred to give the necessary orders for the immediate capture of 
Petersburg. 

The instructions to General Butler were verbal, and were for him 1 
to send General Smith immediately, that night, with all the troops he could 
give him without sacrificing the position he then held. I told him that I 
would return at once to the Army of the Potomac, hasten its crossing, and 
throw it forward to Petersburg by divisions as rapidly as it could be done ; 
that we could re-enforce our armies more rapidly there than the enemy 
could bring troops against us. General Smith got otf as directed, and con- 
fronted the enemy's pickets near Petersburg before daylight next morning, 
but for some reason, that I have never been able to satisfactorily under- 
stand, did not get ready to assault his main lines until near sundown. 
Then, with a part of his command only, he made the assault, and carried 
the lines north-east of Petersburg from the Appomattox River, for a distance 
43 



674 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



of over two and a half miles, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and three 
hundred prisoners. This was about seven p. m. Between the line thus 
captured and Petersburg there were no other works, and there was no evi- 
dence that the enemy had re-enforced Petersburg with a single brigade 
from any source. The night was clear — the moon shining brightly — and 
favorable to further operations. General Hancock, with two divisions of 
the Second Corps, reached General Smith just after dark, and offered the 
service of these troops as he (Smith) might wish, waiving rank to the 
named commander, who he naturally supposed knew best the position of 
affairs, and what to do with the troops. But instead of taking these troops 
and pushing at once into Petersburg, he requested General Hancock to re- 
lieve a part of his line in the captured works, which was done before 
midnight. 

By the time I arrived the next morning the enemy was in force. An 
attack was ordered to be made at six o'clock that evening by the troops 
under Smith and the Second and Ninth Corps. It required until that time 
for the Ninth Corps to get up and into position. The attack was made as 
ordered, and the fighting continued with but little intermission until six 
o'clock the next morning, and resulted in our carrying the advance and 
some of the main works of the enemy to the right (our left) of those pre- 
viously captured by General Smith, several pieces of artillery, and over 
four hundred prisoners. 

The Fifth Corps having got up, the attacks were renewed and persisted 
in with great vigor on the 17th and 18th, but only resulted in forcing the 
enemy to an interior line from which he could not be dislodged. The 
advantages in position gained by us were very great. The army then pro- 
ceeded to envelop Petersburg toward the Southside Railroad; as far as 
possible, without attacking fortifications. 

BUTLER'S ATTEMPT TO CUT THE RICHMOND RAILROAD. 

On the 6th the enemy, to re-enforce Petersburg, withdrew from a part 
of his intrenchments in front of Bermuda Hundred, expecting, no doubt, 
to get troops from north of the James to take the place of those with- 
drawn before we could discover it. General Butler, taking advantage of 
this, at once moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Rich- 
mond. As soon as I was apprised of the advantage thus gained, to retain 
it I ordered two divisions of the Sixth Corps, General Wright command- 
ing, that were embarking at Wilcox's Landing, under orders for City Point, 
to report to General Butler, at Bermuda Hundred, of which General But- 
ler was notified, and the importance of holding a position in advance of 
his present line urged upon him. 

About two o'clock in the afternoon, General Butler was forced back to the 
line the enemy had withdrawn from in the morning. General Wright, 
with his two divisions, joined General Butler in the forenoon of the 17th, 
the latter still holding with a strong picket line the enemy's works. But 
instead of putting these divisions into the enemy's works to hold them, he 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 675 



permitted them to halt and rest some distance in the rear of his own line. 
Between four and five ©'clock in the afternoon, the enemy attacked and 
drove in his pickets and re-occupied his old line. 

On the night of the 20th and morning of the 21st, a lodgment was 
effected by General Butler, with one brigade of infantry, on the north 
bank of the James, at Deep Bottom, and connected the pontoon bridge 
with Bermuda Hundred. 

result of sheridan's raid. 

On the 19th, General Sheridan, on his return from his expedition against 
the Virginia Central Railroad, arrived at the White House just as the 
enemy's cavalry was about to attack it, and compelled it to retire. The 
result of this expedition was, that General Sheridan met the enemy's cav- 
alry near Trevillian Station on the morning of the 11th of June, whom he 
attacked, and after an obstinate contest drove from the field in complete 
rout. He left his dead and nearly all his wounded in our hands, and about 
four hundred prisoners and several hundred horses. On the 12th, he 
destroyed the railroad from Trevillian Station to Louisa Court- House. This 
occupied until three o'clock, p. m., when he advanced in the direction of Gor- 
donsville. He found the enemy re-enforced by infantry, behind well-con- 
structed rifle-pits, about five miles from the latter place, and too strong to 
successfully assault. On the extreme right, however, his reserve brigade 
carried the enemy's works twice, and was twice driven therefrom by 
infantry. Night closed the contest. Not having sufficient ammunition to 
continue the engagement, and his animals being without forage (the country 
furnishing but inferior grazing), and hearing nothing from General Hunter, 
he withdrew his command to the north side of the North Anna, and com- 
menced his return march, reaching White House at the time before stated. 
After breaking up the depot at that place he moved to the James River, 
which he reached safely after heavy fighting. He commenced crossing on 
the 25th, near Fort Powhatan, without further molestation, and rejoined 
the Army of the Potomac. 

THE RAID OF WILSON AND KAUTZ ON THE WELDON AND 
DANVILLE ROADS. 

On the 22d, General Wilson, with his own division of cavalry of the 
Army of the Potomac, and General Kautz's division of cavalry of the Army 
of the James, moved against the enemy's railroads south of Richmond. 
Striking the Weldon Railroad at Ream's Station, destroying the depot and 
several miles of the road, and the Southside road about fifteen miles from 
Petersburg, to near Nottoway Station, where he met and defeated a force of 
the enemy's cavalry, he reached Burkesville Station on the afternoon of the 
23d, and from there destroyed the Danville Railroad to Roanoke Bridge, a 
distance of twenty-five miles, where he found the enemy in force, and in a 
position from which he could not dislodge him. He then commenced his 
return march, and on the 28th met the enemy's cavalry in force at the Wel- 
don Railroad crossing of Stony Creek where he had a severe, but not de- 



676 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



cisive engagement. Thence he made a detour from his left, with a view of 
reaching Ream's Station (supposing it to be in our possession). At this 
place, he was met by the enemy's cavalry, supported by infantry, and forced 
to retire, with the loss of his artillery and trains. In this last encounter, 
General Kautz, with a part of his command, became separated, and made his 
way into our lines. General Wilson, with the remainder of his force, suc- 
ceeded in crossing the Nottoway River and coming in safely on our left and 
rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition more than compensated 
for the losses we sustained. It severed all connection by railroad with 
Richmond for several weeks. 

OPERATIONS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF JAMES RIVER. 

"With a view of cutting the enemy's railroad from near Richmond to the 
Anna River, and making him wary of the situation of his army in the She- 
nandoah, and, in the event of failure in this, to take advantage of his neces- 
sary withdrawal of troops from Petersburg, to explode a mine that had been 
prepared in front of the Ninth Corps, and assault the enemy's lines at that 
place, on the night of the 26th of July the Second Corps and two divisions 
of the cavalry corps and Kautz's cavalry were crossed to the north bank of 
the James River and joined the force General Butler had there. On the 
27th, the enemy was driven from his intrenched position, with the loss of 
four pieces of artillery. On the 28th, our lines were extended from Deep 
Bottom to New-Market Road ; but in getting this position were attacked by 
the enemy in heavy force. The fighting lasted for several hours, resulting 
in considerable loss to both sides. The first object of this move having 
failed, by reason of the very large force thrown there by the enemy, I de- 
termined to take advantage of the diversion made, by assaulting Petersburg 
before he could get his force back there. One division of the Second 
Corps was withdrawn on the night of the 28th, and moved during the night 
to the rear of the Eighteenth Corps, to relieve that corps in the line, that it 
might be foot loose in the assault to be made. The other two divisions of 
the Second Corps and Sheridan's cavalry were crossed over on the night 
of the 29th, and moved in front of Petersburg. On the morning of the 
30th, between four and five o'clock, the mine was sprung, blowing up a bat- 
tery and most of a regiment, and the advance of the assaulting column, 
formed of the Ninth Corps, immediately took possession of the crater made 
by the explosion, and the line for some distance to the right and left of it, 
and a detached line in front of it; but for some cause failed, to advance 
promptly to the ridge beyond. Had they done this, I had every reason to 
believe that Petersburg would have fallen. Other troops were immediately 
pushed forward, but the time consumed in getting them up enabled the enemy 
to rally from his surprise (which had been complete), and get forces to this 
point for its defense. The captured line thus held being untenable, and of 
no advantage to us, the troops were withdrawn ; but not without heavy 
loss. Thus terminated in disaster what promised to be the most successful 
assault, of the campaign. 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANTS REPORT. 



677 



WEST VIRGINIA AND THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 

Immediately upon the enemy's ascertaining that General Hunter was 
retreating from Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, thus laying the 
Shenandoah Valley open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he re- 
turned northward and moved down that valley. As soon as this movement 
of the enemy was ascertained, General Hunter, who had reached the Kana- 
wha River, was directed to move his troops without delay, by river and 
railroad, to Harper's Ferry; but, owing to the difficulty of navigation, by 
reason of low water and breaks in the railroad, great delay was expe- 
rienced in getting there. It became necessary, therefore, to find other 
troops to check this movement of the enemy. For this purpose the Sixth 
Corps was taken from the armies operating against Richmond, to which 
was added the Nineteenth Corps, then fortunately beginning to arrive in 
Hampton Roads from the Gulf Department, under orders issued immediately 
after the ascertainment of the result of the Red River expedition. The 
garrisons of Baltimore and Washington were at this time made up of heavy 
artillery regiments, hundred-days men, and detachments from the Invalid 
Corps. One division, under command of General Ricketts, of the Sixth 
Corps, was sent to Baltimore, and the remaining two divisions of the Sixth 
Corps, under General Wright, were subsequently sent to Washington. On 
the 3d of July the enemy approached Martinsburg; General Sigel, who was 
in command of our forces there, retreated across the Potomac at Shepards- 
town, and General Weber, commanding at Harper's Ferry, crossed the 
river and occupied Maryland Heights. On he Gth, the enemy occupied 
Hagerstown, moving a strong column toward Frederick City. General 
Wallace with Ricketts's division and his own command, the latter mostly 
new and undisciplined troops, pushed out from Baltimore with great 
promptness, and met the enemy in force on the Monocacy, near the cross- 
ing of the railroad bridge. His force was not sufficient to insure success, 
but he fought the enemy, nevertheless, and although it resulted in a defeat 
to our arms, yet it detained the enemy, and thereby served to enable 
General Wright to reach Washington with two divisions of the Sixth 
Corps, and the advance of the Nineteenth Corps before him. From Mono- 
cacy the enemy moved on Washington, his cavalry advance reaching Rock- 
ville on the evening of the 10th. On the 12th a reconnoissance was thrown 
out in front of Fort Stevens, to ascertain the enemy's position and force. 
A severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about two hundred and eighty 
in killed and wounded. The enemy's loss was probably greater. He com- 
menced retreating during the night. Learning the exact condition of 
affairs at Washington, I requested, by telegraph, at 11:45 p. m.. on the lStli^ 
the assignment of Major-General H. G. Wright to the command of ail the 
troops that could be made available to operate in the field against the 
enemy, and directed that he should get outside of the trenches with all the 
force he could, and push Early to the last moment. General Wright com- 
menced the pursuit on the 13th ; on the 18th the enemy was overtaken at 
Snicker's Ferry, on the Shenandoah, when a sharp skirmish occurred ; and 



678 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



on the 20th General Averill encountered and defeated a portion of the 
rebel army at Winchester, capturing four pieces of artillery and several 
hundred prisoners. 

Learning that Early was retreating south toward Lynchburg or Rich- 
mond, I directed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps be got back to the 
armies operating against Richmond, so that they might be used in a. move- 
ment against Lee before the return of the troops sent by him into the 
valley; and that Hunter should remain in the Shenandoah Y alley, keeping 
between any force of the enemy and Washington, acting on the defensive 
as much as possible. I felt that, if the enemy had any notion of returning, 
the fact would be developed before the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps could 
leave Washington. Subsequently the Nineteenth Corps was excepted from 
the order to return to the James. 

EARLY 7 S LAST RAID TOWARD MARYLAND. 

About the 25th it became evident that the enemy was again advancing 
upon Maryland and Pennsylvania, and the Sixth Corps, then at Washing- 
ton, was ordered back to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. The rebel force 
moved down the valley, and sent a raiding party into Pennsylvania, which 
on the 30th burned Chambersburg, and then retreated, pursued by our 
cavalry, toward Cumberland. They were met and defeated by General 
Kelly, and with diminished numbers escaped into the mountains of West 
Yirginia. From the time of the first raid, the telegraph lines were 
frequently down between Washington and City Point, making it necessary 
to transmit messages a part of the way by boat. It took from twenty-four 
to thirty-six hours to get dispatches through-, and return answers back ; 
so that often orders would be given, and then information would be 
received showing a different state of facts from those on which they were 
based, causing a confusion, and apparent contradiction of orders, that must 
have considerably embarrassed those who had to execute them, and ren- 
dered operations against the enemy less effective than they otherwise 
w r ould have been. To remedy this evil, it was evident to my mind that 
some person should have the supreme command of all the forces in the 
Departments of West Yirginia, Washington, Susquehanna, and the Middle 
Department, and I so recommended. 

On the 2d of August, I ordered General Sheridan to report in person to 
Major-General Halleck, chief of staff, at Washington, with a view to his 
assignment to the command of all the forces against Early. At this time, 
the enemy was concentrated in the neighborhood of Winchester, whilst 
our forces, under General Hunter, were concentrated on the Monocacy, at 
the crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, leaving open to the enemy 
Western Maryland and Southern Pennsylvania. From where I was, I hesi- 
tated to give positive orders for the movement of our forces at Monocacy, 
lest by so doing I should expose Washington. Therefore, on the 4th, I left 
City Point to visit Hunter's command, and determine for myself what was 
best to be done. On arrival there, and after consultation with General 
Hunter, I issued to him the following instructions : 



LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 679 

" Monooacy Bridge, Md., Aug. 5, 1864—8 p, m. 

"General: — Concentrate all your available force without delay in the 
vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and garrisons 
for public property as may be necessary. Use, in this concentrating, the 
railroads, if by so doing time can be saved. From Harper's Ferry, if it is 
found that the enemy has moved north of the Potomac in large force, push 
north, following him and attacking him wherever found ; follow him, if 
driven south of the Potomac, as long as it is safe to do so. If it is ascer- 
tained that the enemy has but a small force north of the Potomac, then 
push south with the main force, detaching under a competent commander 
a sufficient force to look after the raiders, and drive them to their homes. 
In detaching such a force, the brigade of cavalry now en route from Wash- 
ington via Rockwell may be taken into account. 

"There are now on their way to join you three other brigades of the 
best cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horses. These will 
be instructed, in the absence of further orders, to join you by the south 
side of the Potomac. One brigade will probably start to-morrow. In 
pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have to 
go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to invite the 
enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage, and stock, wanted for the 
use of your command; such as cannot be consumed, destroy. It is not 
desirable that the buildings should be destroyed — they should rather be 
protected — but the people should be informed that so long as an army can 
subsist among them recurrences of these raids must be expected, and we are 
determined to stop them at all hazards. 

"Bear in mind the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do this 
you want to keep him always in sight. Be guided in your course by the 
course he takes. 

"Make your own arrangements for supplies of all kinds, giving regular 
vouchers for such as may be taken from loyal citizens in the country 
through which you march. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major-General D. Hunter." 

The troops were immediately put in motion, and the advance reached 
Halltown that night. 

General Hunter having, in our conversation, expressed a willingness to 
be relieved from command, I telegraphed to have General Sheridan, then 
at Washington, sent to Harper's Ferry by the morning train, with orders 
to take general command of all the troops in the field, and to call on Gen- 
eral Hunter at Monocacy, who would turn over to him my letter of instruc- 
tions. I remained at Monocacy until General Sheridan arrived on the 
morning of the 6th, and, after a conference with him in relation to mili- 
tary affairs in that vicinity, I returned to City Point by way of Wash- 
ington. 

On the 7th of August, the Middle Department, and the departments of 
West Virginia, Washington, and Susquehanna, were constituted into the 



6S0 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



" middle military division," and Major-General Sheridan was assigned to 
temporary command of the same. 

Two divisions of cavalry, commanded by Generals Torbert and Wilson, 
were sent to Sheridan from the Army of the Potomac. The first reached 
him at Harper's Ferry, about the 11th of August. 

His operations during the month of August and the fore part of Sep- 
tember were both of an offensive and defensive character, resulting in 
many severe skirmishes, principally by the cavalry, in which we were 
generally successful, but no general engagement took place. The two 
armies lay in such a position — the enemy on the west bank of the Opequan 
Creek, covering Winchester, and our forces in front of Berrysville — that 
either could bring on a battle at any time. Defeat to us Avould lay open 
to the enemy the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances 
before another army could be interposed to check him. Under these 
circumstances, I hesitated about allowing the initiative to be taken. 
Finally, the use of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Chesapeake 
and Ohio Canal, which were both obstructed by the enemy, became so 
indispensably necessary to us, and the importance of relieving Pennsyl- 
vania and Maryland from continuously threatened invasion so great, that 
I determined the risk should be taken. But fearing to telegraph the order 
for an attack, without knowing more than I did of General Sheridan's 
feelings as to what would be the probable result, I left City Point on the 
15th of September to visit him at his head-quarters, to decide, after con- 
ference with him, what should be done. I met him at Charleston, and 
he pointed out so distinctly how each army lay, what he could do the 
moment he was authorized, and expressed such confidence of success, that 
I saw there were but two words of instructions necessary — Go in ! For 
the convenience of forage, the teams for supplying the army were kept at 
Harper's Ferry. I asked him if he could get out his teams and supplies 
in time to make an attack on the ensuing Tuesday morning. His reply 
was, that he could before daylight on Monday. He was off promptly to 
time, and I may here add that the result was such that I have never since 
deemed it necessary to visit General Sheridan before giving him orders. 

SHERIDAN'S GREAT VICTORY. 

Early on the morning of the 19th, General Sheridan attacked General 
Early at the crossing on Opequan Creek, and after a most sanguinary and 
bloody battle, lasting until five o'clock in the evening, defeated him with 
heavy loss, carrying his entire position from Opequan Creek to Winchester, 
capturing several thousand prisoners, and five pieces of artillery. The 
enemy rallied and made a stand in a strong position at Fisher's Hill, where 
lie was attacked and again defeated on the 20th. Sheridan pursued him 
with great energy through Harrisonburg, Staunton, and the gaps of the 
Blue Ridge. After stripping the upper valley of most of the supplies and 
provisions for the rebel army, he returned to Strasburg, and took position 
on the north side of Cedar Creek. 



LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 681 



Having received considerable re-enforcements, General Early again re- 
turned to the valley, and on the 9th of October his cavalry encountered 
ours near Strasburg, where the rebels were defeated with the loss of eleven 
pieces of artillery, and three hundred and fifty prisoners. On the night 
of the 18th, the enemy crossed the mountains which separated the branches 
of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and early on the morning of the 
19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned our 
left flank, capturing the batteries which enfiladed our whole line. Our 
troops fell back with heavy loss and in much confusion, but were finally 
rallied between Middletown and Newtown. At this juncture, General Sheri- 
dan, who was at "Winchester when the battle commenced, arrived on the 
field, arranged his lines just in time to repulse a heavy attack of the enemy, 
and, immediately assuming the offensive, he attacked in turn with great 
vigor. The enemy was defeated with great slaughter, and the loss of most 
of his artillery and trains, and the trophies he had captured in the morning. 
The wreck of his army escaped during the night, and fled in the direction 
of Staunton and Lynchburg. Pursuit was made to Mount Jackson, Thus 
ended this, the enemy's, last attempt to invade the North, via the Shenan- 
doah Valley. I was now enabled to return the Sixth Corps to the Army 
of the Potomac, and to send one division from Sheridan's army to the 
Army of the James, and another to Savannah, Georgia, to hold Sherman's 
new acquisitions on the sea-coast, and thus enable him to move without 
detaching from his force for that purpose. 

Reports from various sources led me to believe that the enemy had 
detached three divisions from Petersburg to re-enforce Early in the Shen- 
andoah Valley. I therefore sent the Second Corps and Gregg's division of 
cavalry, of the Army of the Potomac, and a force of General Butler's army, 
on the night of the 13th of August, to threaten Richmond from the north 
side of the James, to prevent him from sending troops away, and, if 
possible, to draw back those sent. In this move we captured six pieces of 
artillery and several hundred prisoners, detained troops that were under 
marching orders, and ascertained that but one division (Kershaw's), of the 
three reputed detached, had gone. 

AFFAIRS AROUND PETERSBURG. 

The enemy having withdrawn heavily from Petersburg to resist this 
movement, the Fifth Corps, General "Warren commanding, was moved out 
on the 18th, and took possession of the Weldon Railroad. During the day 
we had considerable fighting. To regain possession of the road, the enemy 
made repeated and desperate assaults, but was each time repulsed with 
great loss. On the night of the 20th, the troops on the north side of the 
James were withdrawn, and Hancock and Gregg returned to the front of 
Petersburg. On the 2oth, the Second Corps and Gregg's division of 
cavalry, while at Ream's Station destroying the railroad, were attacked, 
and after desperate fighting a part of our line gave way, and five pieces of 
artillery fell into the hands of the enemy. 



682 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



By the 12th of September a branch railroad was completed from the 
City Point and Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon Railroad, enabling us to 
supply, without difficulty, in all weather, the army in front of Petersburg. 

The extension of our lines across the Weldon Railroad compelled the 
enemy to so extend his that it seemed he could have but few troops north 
of the James, for the defense of Richmond. On the night of the 28th, the 
Tenth Corps, Major-General Birney, and the Eighteenth Corps, Major-Gen- 
eral Ord commanding, of General Butler's army, were crossed to the north 
side oH" the James, and advanced on the morning of the 29th, carrying the 
very strong fortifications and intrenchments below Chapin's Farm, known 
as Fort Harrison, capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and the Newmarket 
Road and intrenchments. This success was followed up by a gallant assault 
upon Fort Gillmore, immediately in front of the Chapin Farm fortifications, 
in which we were repulsed with heavy loss. Kautz's cavalry was pushed 
forward on the road to the right of this, supported by infantry, and reached 
the enemy's inner line, but was unable to get further. The position cap- 
tured from the enemy was so threatening to Richmond that I determined 
to hold it. The enemy made several desperate attempts to dislodge us, all 
of which were unsuccessful, and for which he paid dearly. On the morn- 
ing of the 30th, General Meade sent out a reconnoissance, with a view to 
attacking the enemyVline, if it was found sufficiently weakened by with- 
drawal of troops to the north side. In this reconnoissance we captured 
and held the enemy's works near Poplar Spring Church. In the afternoon, 
troops moving to get to the left of the point gained were attacked by the 
enemy in heavy force, and compelled to fall back until supported by the 
forces holding the captured works. Our cavalry, under Gregg, was also 
attacked, but repulsed the enemy with great loss. 

On the 7th of October the enemy attacked Kautz's cavalry north of the 
James, and drove it back with heavy loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
and the loss of all the artillery, eight or nine pieces. This he followed up 
by an attack on our intrenched infantry line, but was repulsed with severe 
slaughter. On the 13th, a reconnoissance was sent out by General Butler, 
with a view to drive the enemy from some new works he was constructing, 
which resulted in very heavy loss to us. 

On the 27th, the Army of the Potomac, leaving only sufficient men to 
hold its fortified line, moved by the enemy's right flank. The Second 
Corps, followed by two divisions of the Fifth Corps, with the cavalry in ad- 
vance and covering our left flank, forced a passage of Hatcher's Run, and 
moved up the south side of it toward the Southside Railroad, until the 
Second Corps and part of the cavalry reached the Boydtown plank-road, 
where it crosses Hatcher's Run. At this point we were six miles distant 
from the Southside Railroad, which I had hoped by this movement to reach 
andhold. But finding that we had not reached the end of the enemy's forti- 
fications, and no place presenting itself for a successful assault by which he 
might be doubled up and shortened, I determined to withdraw within our 
fortified line. Orders were given accordingly. Immediately upon receiv- 
ing a report that General Warren had connected with General Hancock, I 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT 683 



returned to my head-quarters. Soon after I left, the enemy moved out 
across Hatcher's Run, in the gap between Generals Hancock and Warren, 
which was not closed as reported, and made a desperate attack on General 
Hancock's right and rear. General Hancock immediately faced his corps to 
meet it, and after a bloody combat drove the enemy within his works, and 
withdrew that night to his old position. 

In support of this movement, General Butler made a demonstration on 
the north side of the James, and attacked the enemy on the Williamsbwg 
road, and also on the York River Railroad. In the former he was unsuc- 
cessful ; in the latter he succeeded in carrying a work which was afterward 
abandoned, and his force withdrawn to their former positions. 

From this time forward the operations in front of Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, until the Spring campaign of 1865, were confined to the defense and 
extension of our lines, and to offensive movements for crippling the enemy's 
line of communication, and to prevent his detaching any considerable force 
to send south. By the 7th of February our lines were extended to Hatch- 
er's Run, and the Weldon Railroad had been destroyed to Hicksford. 

SHERMAN'S CAMPAIGN FROM CHATTANOOGA TO ATLANTA. 

General Sherman moved from Chattanooga on the 6th of May, with the 
Armies of the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Ohio, commanded, respectively, 
by Generals Thomas, McPherson, and Schofield, upon Johnston's army at 
Dalton ; but finding the enemy's positions at Buzzard Roost, covering Dal- 
ton, too strong to be assaulted, General McPherson was sent through Snake 
Gap to turn it, while Generals Thomas and Schofield threatened it in front 
and on the north. This movement was successful. Johnston, finding his 
retreat likely to be cut off, fell back to his fortified position at Resaca, 
where he was attacked on the afternoon of May 15th. A heavy battle en- 
sued. During the night the enemy retreated south. Late on the 17th, his 
rear-guard was overtaken near Adairsville, and heavy skirmishing followed. 
The next morning, however, he had again disappeared. He was vigorous- 
ly pursued and was overtaken at Cassville, on the 19th, but, during the en- 
suing night, retreated across the Etowah. While these operation's were 
going on, General Jefferson C. Davis's division of Thomas's army was sent 
to Rome, capturing it, with its forts and artillery and its valuable mills and 
founderies. General Sherman having given his army a fewdays' rest at this 
point, again put it in motion on the 23d for Dallas, with a view of turning 
the difficult pass at Allatoona. On the afternoon of the 25th, the advance, 
under General Hooker, had a severe battle with the enemy, driving him 
back to New-Hope Church, near Dallas. Several sharp encounters oc- 
curred at this point. The most important was on the 28th, when the 
enemy assaulted General McPherson at Dallas, but received a terrible and 
bloody repulse, 

On the 4th of June, Johnston abandoned his intrenched position at 
New- Hope Church and retreated to the strong positions of Kenesaw, Pine, 
and Lost Mountains. He was forced to yield the two last-named places 



684 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and concentrate his army on Kenesaw, where, on the 27th, Generals 
Thomas and McPherson made a determined but unsuccessful assault. On 
the night of the 2d of July, Sherman commenced moving his army by the 
right flank, and on the morning of the 3d found that the enemy, in conse- 
quence of this movement, had abandoned Kenesaw and retreated across the 
Chattahoochie. 

General Sherman remained on the Chattahoochie to give his men rest, 
and get up stores until the 17th of July, when he resumed his operations, 
crossed the Chattahoochie, destroyed a large portion of the railroad to 
Augusta, and drove the enemy back to Atlanta. At this place General 
Hood succeeded General Johnston in command of the rebel army, and, 
assuming the offensive-defensive policy, made several severe attacks upon 
Sherman in the vicinity of Atlanta, the most desperate and determined of 
which was on the 22d of July. About one p. m. of this day, the brave, 
accomplished, and noble-hearted McPherson was killed. General Logan 
succeeded him, and commanded the Army of the Tennessee through this 
desperate battle, and until he was superseded by Major-General Howard on 
the 26th, with the same success and ability that had characterized him in 
the command of a corps or division. 

In all these attacks the enemy was repulsed with great loss. Finding 
it impossible to entirely invest the place, General Sherman, after securing 
his line of communications across the Chattahoochie, moved his main force 
round by the enemy's left flank upon the Montgomery and Macon roads, to 
draw the enemy from his fortifications. In this he succeeded, and, after 
defeating the enemy near Rough-and-Ready, Jonesboro', and Lovejoy's, 
forcing him to retreat to the south, on the 2d of September occupied 
Atlanta, the objective point of his campaign. 

About the time of this move, the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, attempted 
to cut his communications in the rear, but was repulsed at Dalton and 
driven into East Tennessee, whence it proceeded west to McMinnville, 
Murfreesboro', and Franklin, and was finally driven south of the Tennessee. 
The damage done by this raid was repaired in a few days. 

During the partial investment of Atlanta, General Rousseau joined 
General Sherman with a force of cavalry from Decatur, having made a 
successful raid upon the Atlanta and Montgomery Railroad, and its branches 
near Opelika. Cavalry raids were also made by Generals McCook, Gar- 
rard, and Stoneman, to cut the remaining railroad communication with 
Atlanta. The first two were successful — the latter disastrous. 

A TRIBUTE TO SHERMAN. 

General Sherman's movement from Chattanooga to Atlanta was prompt, 
skillful, and brilliant. The history of his flank movements and battles dur- 
ing that memorable campaign will ever be read with an interest unsurpassed 
by any thing in history. 

His own report and those of his subordinate commanders accompany- 
ing it give the details of that most successful campaign. 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



He was dependent for the supply of his armies upon a single-track rail- 
road from Nashville to the point where he was operating. This passed tho 
entire distance through a hostile country, and every foot of it had to be 
protected by troops. The cavalry force of the enemy under Forrest, in 
northern Mississippi, was evidently waiting for Sherman to advance far 
enough into the mountains of Georgia to make a retreat disastrous, to get 
upon his line and destroy it beyond the possibility of further nse. To 
guard against this danger, Sherman left what he supposed to be a sufficient 
force to operate against Forrest in West Tennessee. He directed General 
Washburn, who commanded there, to send Brigadier-General S. D. Sturgis 
in command of this force to attack him. On the morning of the 10th of 
June, General Sturgis met the enemy near Guntown, Mississippi, was badly 
beaten, and driven back in utter rout and confusion to Memphis, a distance 
of about one hundred miles, hotly pursued by the enemy. By this, how- 
ever, the enemy was defeated in his designs upon General Sherman's line 
of communications. The persistency with which he followed up this suc- 
cess exhausted him, and made a season for rest and repairs necessary. In 
the mean time Major-General A. J. Smith, with the troops of the Army of 
the Tennessee that had been sent by General Sherman to General Banks, 
arrived at Memphis on their return from Red River, where they had done 
most excellent service. He was directed by General Sherman to immedi- 
ately take the offensive against Forrest. This he did, with the promptness 
and effect which have characterized his whole military career. On the 14th 
of July, he met the enemy at Tupelo, Mississippi, and whipped him badly. 
The fighting continued through three days. Our loss was small compared 
with that of the enemy. Having accomplished the object of his expedi- 
tion, General Smith returned to Memphis. 

FORREST'S ANNOYANCE IN KENTUCKY — THE MASSACRE AT 
FORT PILLOW. 

During the months of March and April, this same force under Forrest 
annoyed us considerably. On the 24th of March, it captured Union City, 
Kentucky, and its garrison, and on the 24th attacked Paducah, commanded 
by Colonel S. G. Hicks, Fortieth Illinois Volunteers. Colonel Hicks, hav- 
ing hut a small force, withdrew to the forts near the river, from where he 
repulsed the enemy and drove him from the place. 

On the 13th of April, part of this force, under the rebel General Buford, 
summoned the garrison of Columbus, Kentucky, to surrender, but received 
for reply from Colonel Lawrence, Thirty-fourth New Jersey Volunteers, 
that, being placed there by his Government with adequate force to hold 
his post and repel all enemies from it, surrender was out of the ques- 
tion. 

On the morning of the same day, Forrest attacked Fort Pillow, Tenn., 
garrisoned by a detachment of Tennessee cavalry and the First Regiment 
Alabama colored troops, commanded by Major Booth. The garrison fought 
bravely until about three o'clock in the afternoon, when the enemy carried 



686 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the works by assault ; and, after our men threw down their arms, pro- 
ceeded in an inhuman and merciless massacre of the garrison. 

On the 14th, General Buford, having failed at Columbus, appeared before 
Paducah, but was again driven off. 

Guerrillas and raiders, seemingly emboldened by Forrest's operations, 
were also very active in Kentucky. The most noted of these was Morgan. 
With a force of from two to three thousand cavalry, he entered the State 
through Pound Gap in the latter part of May. On the 11th of June he 
attacked and captured Cynthiana, with its entire garrison. On the 12th 
he was overtaken by General Burbridge, and completely routed with heavy 
loss, and was finally driven out of the State. This notorious guerrilla was 
afterward surprised and killed near Greenville, Tenn., and his command 
captured and dispersed by General Gillem. 

OUR REVERSES ON THE RED RIVER. 

In the absence of official reports at the commencement of the Red River 
expedition, except so far as relates to the movements of the troops sent by 
General Sherman, under A. J. Smith, I am unable to give the date of its 
starting. The troops under General Smith, comprising two divisions of the 
Sixteenth and a detachment of the Seventeenth Army Corps, left Vicks- 
burg on the 10th of March, and reached the designated point on Red River 
one day earlier than that appointed by General Banks. The rebel forces at 
Fort de Russey, thinking to defeat him, left the fort on the 14th, to give 
him battle in the open field; but, while occupying the enemy with skir- 
mishing and demonstrations, Smith pushed forward to Fort de Russey, 
which had been left with a weak garrison, and captured it with its garri- 
son, about three hundred and fifty men, eleven pieces of artillery, and many 
small-arms. Our loss was but slight. On the 15th, he pushed forward to 
Alexandria, which place he reached on the 18th. On the 21st, he had an 
engagement with the enemy at Henderson Hill, in which he defeated him, 
capturing two hundred and ten prisoners and four pieces of artillery. 

On the 28th, he again attacked and defeated the enemy, under the rebel 
General Taylor, at Cane River. By the 26th, General Banks had assembled 
his whole army at Alexandria, and pushed forward to Grand Ecore. On 
the morning of April Gth, he moved from Grand Ecore. On the afternoon 
of the 7th, his advance engaged the enemy near Pleasant Hill, and drove him 
from the field. On the same afternoon the enemy made a stand eight 
miles beyond Pleasant Hill, but w r as again compelled to retreat. On the 
8th, at Sabine Cross-roads and Peach Hill, the enemy attacked and de- 
feated his advance, capturing nineteen pieces of artillery and an immense 
amount of transportation and stores. During the night, General Banks fell 
back to Pleasant Hill, where another battle was fought on the 9th, and the 
enemy repulsed with great loss. During the night, General Banks con- 
tinued his retrograde movement to Grand Ecore, and thence to Alexandria, 
which he reached on the 27th of April. Here a serious difficulty arose in 
getting Admiral Porter's fleet, which accompanied the expedition, over the 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 687 



rapids, the water having fallen so ranch since they passed np as to prevent 
their return. At the suggestion of Colonel (now Brigadier-General) Bailey, 
and under his superintendence, wing-dams were constructed, by which 
the channel was contracted so that the fleet passed down the rapids in 
safety. 

The army evacuated Alexandria on the 14th of May, after considerable 
skirmishing with the enemy's advance, and reached Morganzia and Point 
Coupee near the end of the month. The disastrous termination of this ex- 
pedition, and the lateness of the season, rendered impracticable the carry- 
ing out of my plan of a movement in force sufficient to insure the capture 
of Mobile. 

On the 23d of March, Major-General Steele left Little Rock with the 
Seventh Army Corps, to co-operate with General Banks's expedition on 
Red River, and reached Arkadelphia on the 28th. On the 16th of April, 
after driving the enemy before him, he was joined near Elkin's Ferry, in 
Washita County, by General Thayer, who had marched from Fort Smith. 
After several severe skirmishes, in which the enemy was defeated, General 
Steele reached Camden, which he occupied about the middle of April. 

On learning the defeat and consequent retreat of General Banks on Red 
River, and the loss of one of his own trains at Mark's Mill, in Dallas 
County, General Steele determined to fall back to the Arkansas River. 
He left Camden on the 26th of April, and reached Little Rock on the 2d 
of May. On the 30th of April the enemy attacked him while crossing 
the Saline River at Jenkins's Ferry, but was repulsed with considerable 
loss. Our loss was about six hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 
Major-General Canby, who had been assigned to the command of the Mili- 
tary Division of West Mississippi, was therefore directed to send the Nine- 
teenth Army Corps to join the armies operating against Richmond, and to 
limit the remainder of his command to such operations as might be neces- 
sary to hold the positions and lines of communications he then occupied. 

Before starting General A. J. Smith's force back to Sherman, General 
Canby sent a part of it to disperse a force of the enemy that was collect- 
ing near the Mississippi River. General Smith met and defeated this force 
near Lake Chicot on the 5th of June. Our loss was about forty killed and 
seventy wounded. 

CAPTURE OF FORT MORGAN. 

In the latter part of July, General Canby sent Major-General Gordon 
Granger, with such forces as he could collect, to co-operate with Admiral 
Farragut against the defenses of Mobile Bay. On the 8th of August, Fort 
Gaines surrendered to the combined naval and land forces. Fort Powell 
was blown up and abandoned. 

On the 9th, Fort Morgan was invested, and, after a severe bombard- 
ment, surrendered on the 23d. The total captures amounted to one thou- 
sand four hundred and sixty-four prisoners and one hundred and four pieces 
of artillery. 



688 



LIFE A "NT) CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



OPERATIONS IN ARKANSAS. 

About the last of August, it being reported that the rebel General Price, 
with a force of about ten thousand men, had reached Jacksonport, on his 
way to invade Missouri, General A. J. Smith's command, then en route 
from Memphis to join Sherman, was ordered to Missouri. A cavalry 
force was also at the same time sent from Memphis, under command of 
Colonel Winslow. This made General Rosecrans's forces superior to those 
of Price, and no doubt was entertained he would be able to check Price 
and drive him back, while the forces under General Steele, in Arkansas, 
would cut off his retreat. On the 26th day of September, Price attacked 
Pilot Knob, and forced the garrison to retreat, and thence moved north 
to the Missouri River, and continued up that river toward Kansas. Gen- 
eral Curtis, commanding Department of Kansas, immediately collected 
such forces as he could to repel the invasion of Kansas, while General 
Rosecrans's cavalry was operating in his rear. 

The enemy was brought to battle on the Big Blue, and defeated, with 
the loss of nearly all his artillery and trains, and a large number of pris- 
oners. He made a precipitate retreat to Northern Arkansas. The im- 
punity with which Price was enabled to roam over the State of Missouri 
for a long time, and the incalculable mischief done by him, shows to how 
little purpose a superior force may be used. There is no reason why 
General Rosecrans should not have concentrated his forces, and beaten 
and driven Price before the latter reached Pilot Knob. 

FORREST'S ATTACK UPON ATHENS. 

September 20th, the enemy's cavalry, uuder Forrest, crossed the Tennes- 
see near Waterloo, Alabama, and on the 23d attacked the garrison at Athens, 
consisting of six hundred men, which capitulated on the 24th. Soon after 
the surrender, two regiments of re-enforcements arrived, and, after a severe 
fight, were compelled to surrender. Forrest destroyed the railroad west- 
ward, captured the garrison at Sulphur Branch trestle, skirmished with the 
garrison at Pulaski on the 27th, and on the same day cut the Nashville and 
Chattanooga Railroad near Tullahoma and Dechard. On the morning of 
the 30th, one column of Forrest's command, under Buford, appeared before 
Huntsville, and summoned the surrender of the garrison. Receiving an 
answer in the negative, he remained in the vicinity of the place until next 
morning, when he again summoned its surrender, and received the same 
reply as on the night before. He withdrew in the direction of Athens, 
which place had been regarrisoned, and attacked it on the afternoon of the 
1st of October, but without success. On the morning of the 2d, he renewed 
his attack, but was handsomely repulsed. 

Another column, under Forrest, appeared before Columbia on the morn- 
ing of the 1st, but did not make an attack. On the morning of the 3d, he 
moved toward Mount Pleasant. AVhile these operations were going on, 
every exertion was made by General Thomas to destroy the forces under 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



689 



Forrest before he could recross the Tennessee^ but was uuable to prevent 
his escape to Corinth, Mississippi. 

In September, an expedition, under General Burbridge, was sent to de- 
stroy the salt-works at Saltville, Virginia. Ho met the enemy on the 2d of 
October, about three and a half miles from Saltville, and drove him into his 
strongly intrenched position around the salt-works, from which he was 
unable to dislodge him. During the night, he withdrew his command, and 
returned to Kentucky. 

SHERMAN PREPARES FOR HIS "MARCH TO THE SEA." 

General Sherman, immediately after the fall of Atlanta, put his armies 
in camp in and about the place, and made all preparations for refitting and 
supplying them for future service. The great length of road from Atlanta 
to the Cumberland River, however, which had to be guarded, allowed the 
troops but little rest. 

During this time, Jefferson Davis made a speech in Macon, Ga., which 
was reported in the papers of the South, and soon became known to the 
whole country, disclosing the plans of the enemy, thus enabling General 
Sherman to fully meet them. He exhibited the weakness of supposing that 
an army, that had been beaten and fearfully decimated in a vain attempt at 
the defensive, could successfully undertake the offensive against the army 
that had so often defeated it. 

In execution of this plan, Hood, with his army, was soon reported to 
the southwest of Atlanta. Moving far to Sherman's right, he succeeded in 
reaching the railroad about Big Shanty, and moved north on it. 

General Sherman, leaving a force to hold Atlanta, with the remainder of 
his army fell upon him and drove him to Gadsden, Alabama. Seeing the 
constant annoyance he would have with the roads to his rear, if we at- 
tempted to hold Atlanta, General Sherman proposed the abandonment and 
destruction of that place, with all the railroads leading to it, and tele- 
graphed me as follows : 

"Centeeville, Ga., October 10 — Noon. 

" Dispatch about Wilson just received. Hood is now crossing Coosa River, 
twelve miles below Rome, bound west. If he passes over the Mobile and 
Ohio road, had I not better execute the plan of my letter sent by Colonel 
Porter, and leave General Thomas, with the troops now in Tennessee, to 
defend the State ? He will have an ample force when the re-enforcements 
ordered reach Nashville. 

" W. T. Sheeman, Major-General. 

" Lieutenant- General Gbant." 

For a full understanding of the plan referred to in this dispatch, I quote 
from the letter sent by Colonel Porter : 

" I will, therefore, give my opinion, that your army and Canby 's should be 
re-enforced to the maximum ; that, after you get Wilmington, you strike for 
Savannah and the river ; that Canby be instructed to hold the Mississippi 
River, and send a force to get Columbus, Georgia, either by the way of 
44 



690 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



the Alabama or the Appalachicola, and that I keep Hood employed, and put 
my army in final order for a march on Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston, 
to be ready as soon as Wilmington is sealed as to commerce, and the city 
of Savannah is in our possession." 

This was in reply to a letter of mine, of date September 12, in answer to 
a dispatch of his containing substantially the same proposition, and in which 
I informed him of a proposed movement against Wilmington, and of the 
situation in Virginia, &c. 

" City Point, Va., October 11, 1864—11 a. m. 

"Your dispatch of October 10 received. Does it not look as if Hood was 
going to attempt the invasion of Middle Tennessee, using the Mobile and 
Ohio and Memphis and Charleston roads to supply his base on the Tennes- 
see River, about Florence or Decatur? If he does this, he ought to be 
met and prevented from getting north of the Tennessee River. If you were 
to cut loose, I do not believe you would meet Hood's army, but would be 
bushwhacked by all the old men, little boys, and such railroad guards as 
are still left at home. Hood would probably strike at Nashville, thinking 
that by going north he could inflict greater damage upon us than we could 
upon the rebels by going south. If there is any way of getting at Hood's 
army, I would prefer that ; but I must trust to your own judgment. I find 
I shall not be able to send a force from here to act with you on Savannah. 
Your movements, therefore, will be independent of mine ; at least, until the 
fall of Richmond takes place. I am afraid Thomas, with such lines of road 
as he has to protect, could not prevent Hood from going north. With Wil- 
son turned loose, with all your cavalry, you will find the rebels put much 
more on the defensive than heretofore. 

" U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 
"Major-General W. T. Sheeman." 

" Kingston, Ga., October 11—11 a. m. 

u Hood moved his army from Palmetto Station across by Dallas and Ce- 
dartown, and is now on the Coosa River, south of Rome. He threw one 
corps on my road at Acworth, and I was forced to follow. I hold Atlanta 
with the Twentieth Corps, and have strong detachments along my line. This 
reduces my active force to a comparatively small army. We cannot remain 
here on the defensive. With the twenty-five thousand men and the bold 
cavalry he has, he will constantly break my roads. I would infinitely prefer 
to make a wreck of the road, and of the country from Chattanooga to Atlan- 
ta, including the latter city — send back all my wounded, and worthless, and, 
with my effective army, move through Georgia, smashing things, to the sea. 
Hood may turn into Tennessee and Kentucky, but I believe he will be 
forced to follow me. Instead of my being on the defensive, I would be on 
the offensive ; instead of guessing at what he means to do, he would have 
to guess at my plans. The difference in war is full twenty-five per cent. 
I can make Savannah, Charleston, or the mouth of the Chattahoochee. 

"Answer quick, as I know we will not have the telegraph long. 

"W. T. Sheeman, Major-General. 

"Lieutenant-General Geant." 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANTS REPORT. 691 



"City Point, Va., October 11. 1864—11:30 p. m. 

"Your dispatch of to-day received. If you are satisfied the trip to the 
sea-coast can be made, holding the line of the Tennessee River firmly, you 
may make it, destroying all the railroad south of Dalton or Chattanooga 
as you think best. 

" U. S. Gkant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General W. T. Sherman." 

It was the original design to hold Atlanta, and by getting through to the 
coast, with a garrison left on the Southern railroads leading east and west 
through Georgia, to effectually sever the east from the west, in other words, 
cut the would-be Confederacy in two again, as it had been cut once by our 
gaining possession of the Mississippi River. General Sherman's plan vir- 
tually effected this object. 

SHERMAN BEGINS HIS GREAT MARCH. 

General Sherman commenced at once his preparations for his proposed 
movement, keeping his army in position in the mean time to watch Hood. 
Becoming satisfied that Hood had moved westward from Gadsden, across 
Sand Mountain, General Sherman sent the Fourth Corps, Major-General 
Stanley commanding, and the Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Scho- 
field commanding, back to Chattanooga to report to Major-General Thomas, 
at Nashville, whom he had placed in command of all the troops of his 
military division, save the four army corps and cavalry division he designed 
to move with through Georgia. With the troops thus left at his disposal, 
there was little doubt that General Thomas could hold the line of the Ten- 
nessee, or, in the event Hood should force it, would be able to concentrate 
and beat him in battle. It was therefore readily consented to that Sher- 
man should start for the sea-coast. 

Having concentrated his troops at Atlanta by the 14th of November, he 
commenced his march, threatening both Augusta and Macon. His coming- 
out point could not be definitely fixed. Having to gather his subsistence 
as he marched through the country, it was not impossible that a force in- 
ferior to his own might compel him to head for such point as he could 
reach, instead of such as he might prefer. The blindness of the enemy, 
however, in ignoring his movement, and sending Hood's army, the only 
considerable force he had west of Richmond and east of the Mississippi 
River, northward on an offensive campaign, left the whole country open, 
and Sherman's route to his own choice. 

How that campaign was conducted, how little opposition was met with, 
the condition of the country through which the armies passed, the capture 
of Fort McAllister, on the Savannah River, and the occupation of Savannah 
on the 21st of December, are all clearly set forth in General Sherman's ad- 
mirable report. 

CUTTING REBEL RAILROADS IN THE SOUTH. 
Soon after General Sherman commenced his march from Atlanta, two 
expeditions, one from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and one from Vicksburg, 



692 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Mississippi, were started by General Canby to cut the enemy's line of commu- 
nication with Mobile and detain troops in that field. General Foster, com- 
manding Department of the South, also sent on expedition, via Broad River, 
to destroy the railroad between Charleston and Savannah. The expedition 
from Vicksburg, under command of Brevet Brigadier-General E. D. 
Osband (Colonel Third United States Colored Cavalry), captured on the 
27th of November and destroyed the Mississippi Central Railroad bridge and 
trestle-work over Big Black River, near Canton, thirty miles of the road 
and two locomotives, besides large amounts of stores. The expedition from 
Baton Rouge was without favorable results. The expedition from the De- 
partment of the South, under the immediate command of Brigadier-General 
John P. Hatch, consisting of about five thousand men of all arras, including 
a brigade from the navy, proceeded up Broad River and debarked at Boyd's 
Neck on the 29th of November, from where it moved to strike the railroad 
at Grahamsville. At Honey Hill, about three miles from Grahamsville, 
the enemy was found and attacked in a strongly-fortified position, which 
resulted, after severe fighting, in our repulse, with a loss of seven hundred 
and forty-six in killed, wounded, and missing. During the night General 
Hatch withdrew. On the 6th of December, General Foster obtained a 
position covering the Charleston and Savannah Railroad, between Coosaw- 
hatchie and Tullifinney rivers. 

THE MOVEMENTS OF HOOD'S ARMY. 

Hood, instead of following Sherman, continued his move northward, 
which seemed to me to be leading to his certain doom. At all events, had 
I had the power to command both armies, I should not have changed the 
orders under which he seemed to be acting. On the 24th of October, the 
advance of Hood's army attacked the garrison of Decatur, Alabama, but, 
failing to carry the place, withdrew toward Courtland, and succeeded, in the 
face of our cavalry, in effecting a lodgment on the north side of the Tennessee 
River, near Florence. On the 28th, Forrest reached the Tennessee, at Fort 
Hieman, and captured a gunboat and three transports. On the 2d of 
November, he planted batteries above and below Johnsonville, on the 
opposite side of the river, isolating three gunboats and eight transports. 
On the4th, the enemy opened his batteries upon the place, and was replied 
to from the gunboats and the garrison. The gunboats, becoming disabled, 
were set on fire, as also were the transports, to prevent their falling into 
the hands of the enemy. About a million and a half dollars' worth of 
stores and property on the levee and in storehouses was consumed by fire. 
On the 5th, the enemy disappeared, and crossed to the north side of the 
Tennessee River, above Johnsonville, moving toward Clifton, *and subse- 
quently joined Hood. On the night of the 5th, General Schofield, with the 
advance of the Twenty-third Corps, reached Johnsonville, but, finding the 
enemy gone, was ordered to Pulaski, and put in command of all the troops 
there, with instructions to watch the movements of Hood, and retard his 
advance, but not to risk a general engagement until the arrival of General 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANTS REPORT. 693 



A. J. Smith's command from Missouri, .and until General Wilson could get 
his cavalry remounted. 

On the 19th, General Hood continued his advance; General Thomas, 
retarding him as much as possible, fell back toward Nashville, for the pur- 
pose of concentrating his command, and gaining time for the arrival of 
re-enforcements. The enemy, coming up with our main force, commanded 
by General Schofield, at Franklin, on the 30th, assaulted our works repeat- 
edly during the afternoon, until late at night, but were in every instance 
repulsed. His loss in this battle was one thousand seven hundred and 
fifty killed, seven hundred and two prisoners, and three thousand eight 
hundred wounded. Among his losses were six general officers killed, six 
wounded, and one captured. Our entire loss was two thousand three 
hundred. This was the first serious opposition the enemy met with, and I 
am satisfied was the fatal blow to all his expectations. During the night, 
General Schofield fell back toward Nashville. This left the field to the 
enemy — not lost by the battle, but voluntarily abandoned — so that General 
Thomas's whole force might be brought together. The enemy followed up, 
and commenced the establishment of his line in front of Nashville on the 
2d of December. 

As soon as it was ascertained that Hood was crossing the Tennessee 
River, and that Price was going out of Missouri, General Rosecrans was 
ordered to send to General Thomas the troops of General A. J. Smith's 
command and such other troops as he could spare. The advance of this 
re-enforcement reached Nashville on the 30th of November. 

On the morning of the 15th of December, General Thomas attacked 
Hood in position, and, in a battle lasting two days, defeated and drove him 
from the field in the utmost confusion, leaving in our hands most of his 
artillery and many thousand prisoners, including four general officers. 

GENERAL GRANT'S ANXIETY ABOUT THOMAS. 

Before the battle of Nashville, I grew very impatient over, as it ap- 
peared to me, the unnecessary delay. This impatience was increased 
upon learning that the enemy had sent a force of cavalry across the Cum- 
berland into Kentucky. I feared Hood would cross his whole army and 
give us great trouble there. After urging upon General Thomas the ne- 
cessity of immediately assuming the offensive, I started West to super- 
intend matters there in person. Reaching Washington City, I received 
General Thomas's dispatch announcing his attack upon the enemy, and 
the results as far as the battle had progressed. I was delighted. All fears 
and apprehensions were dispelled. I am not yet satisfied but that General 
Thomas, immediately upon the appearance of Hood before Nashville, and 
before he had time to fortify, should have moved out with his whole force 
and given him battle, instead of waiting to remount his cavalry, which de- 
layed him until the inclemency of the weather made it impracticable to attack 
earlier than he did. But his final defeat of Hood was so complete, that it 
will be accepted as a vindication of that distinguished officer's judgment. 

After Hood's defeat at Nashville, he retreated, closely pursued by cavalry 



694 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



and infantry, to the Tennessee River, being forced to abandon many pieces 
of artillery and most of his transportation. On the 28th of December, our 
advance forces ascertained that he had made good his escape to the south 
side of the river. 

About this time, the rains having set in heavily in Tennessee and North 
Alabama, making it difficult to move army transportation and artillery, 
General Thomas stopped the pursuit, by his main force, at the Tennessee 
River. A small force of cavalry, under Colonel W. J. Palmer, Fifteenth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, continued to follow Hood for some distance, 
capturing considerable transportation and the enemy's pontoon bridge. 
The details of these operations will be found clearly set forth in General 
Thomas's report. 

GRIERSON ON ANOTHER RAID. 

A cavalry expedition, under Brevet Major-General Grierson, started 
from Memphis on the 21st of December. On the 25th, he surprised and 
captured Forrest's dismounted camp at Verona, Mississippi, on the Mobile 
and Ohio Railroad, destroyed the railroad, sixteen cars loaded with wagons 
and pontoons for Hood's army, four thousand new English carbines, and 
large amounts of public stores. On the morning of the 28th, he at- 
tacked and captured a force of the enemy at Egypt, and destroyed a train 
of fourteen cars ; thence turning to the southwest, he struck the Missis- 
sippi Central Railroad at Winona, destroyed the factories and large amounts 
of stores at Bankston, and the machine-shops and public property at 
Grenada, arriving at Vicksburg January 5th. 

OPERATIONS IN EAST TENNESSEE. 
During these operations in Middle Tennessee, the enemy, with a force 
under General Breckinridge, entered East Tennessee. On the 13th of 
November, he attacked General Gillern, near Morristown, capturing his 
artillery and several hundred prisoners. Gillem, with what was left of 
his command, retreated to Knoxville. Following up his success, Breckin- 
ridge moved to near Knoxville, but withdrew on the 18th, followed by 
General Ammen. Under the directions of General Thomas, General Stone- 
man concentrated the commands of Generals Burbridge and Gillem near 
Bean's Station, to operate against Breckinridge, and destroy or drive him into 
Virginia ; destroy the salt-works at Saltville and the railroad into Virginia as 
far as he could go without endangering his command. On the 12th of De- 
cember, he commenced his movement, capturing and dispersing the enemy's 
forces wherever he met them. On the 16th, he struck the enemy, under 
Vaughn, at Marion, completely routing and pursuing him to Wytheville, 
capturing all his artillery, trains, and one hundred and ninety-eight prison- 
ers, and destroyed "Wytheville, with its stores and supplies, and the exten- 
sive lead works near there. Returning to Marion, he met a force under 
Breckinridge, consisting, among other troops, of the garrison of Saltville, 
that had started in pursuit. He at once made arrangements to attack it the 
next morning, but morning found Breckinridge gone. He then moved di- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



695 



rectly to Saltville, and destroyed the extensive salt-works at that place, a 
large amount of stores, and captured eight pieces of artillery. Having thus 
successfully executed his instructions, he returned General Burbridge to 
Lexington and General Gillem to Emoxville. 

THE FORT FISHER FAILURE — GENERAL BUTLER S STRANGE 

CONDUCT. 

Wihnington, North Carolina, was the most important sea-coast port left 
to the enemy through which to get supplies from abroad, and send cotton 
and other products out by blockade-runners, besides being a place of great 
strategic value. The navy had been making strenuous exertions to seal the 
harbor of Wilmington, but with only partial effect. The nature of the out- 
let of Cape Fear River was such that it required watching for so great a 
distance, that without possession of the land north of New Inlet, or Fort 
Fisher, it was impossible for the navy to entirely close the harbor against 
the entrance of blockade-runners. 

To secure the possession of this land required the co-operation of a land 
force, which I agreed to furnish. Immediately commenced the assemblage 
in Hampton Roads, under Admiral D. D. Porter, of the most formidable 
armament ever collected for concentration upon one given point. This 
necessarily attracted the attention of the enemy, as well as that of the loyal 
North ; and through the imprudence of the public press, and very likely 
of officers of both branches of service, the exact object of the expedition 
became a subject of common discussion in the newspapers both North and 
South. The enemy, thus warned, prepared to meet it. This caused a 
postponement of the expedition until the latter part of November, when, 
being again called upon by Honorable G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the 
Navy, I agreed to furnish the men required at once, and went myself, in com- 
pany with Major-General Butler, to Hampton Roads, where we had a con- 
ference with Admiral Porter as to the force required and the time of start- 
ing. A force of six thousand five hundred men was regarded as sufficient. 
The time of starting was not definitely arranged, but it was thought all 
would be ready by the 6th of December, if not before. Learning on the 
30th of November that Bragg had gone to Georgia, taking with him most of 
the forces about Wilmington, I deemed it of the utmost importance that 
the expedition should reach its destination before the return of Bragg, and 
directed General Butler to make all arrangements for the departure of Major 
General Weitzel, who had been designated to command the land forces, 
so that the navy might not be detained one moment. 

On the 16th of December, the following instructions were given : — 

" City Point, Ya., Dec. 6, 1864. 

" General : — The first object of the expedition under General Weitzel is 
to close to the enemy the port of Wilmington. If successful in this, the 
second will be to capture Wilmington itself. There are reasonable grounds 
to hope for success, if advantage can be taken of the absence of the greater 
part of the enemy's forces now looking after Sherman in Georgia. The 



696 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



directions you have given for the numbers and equipment of the expedition 
are all right, except in the unimportant matter of where they embark and 
the amount of intrenching tools to be taken. The object of the expedition 
will be gained by effecting a landing on the main land between Cape Fear 
River and the Atlantic, north of the north entrance to the river. Should 
such landing be effected while the enemy still holds Fort Fisher and the 
batteries guarding the entrance to the river, then the troops should in- 
trench themselves, and, by co-operating with the navy, effect the reduction 
and capture of those places. These in our hands, the navy could enter the 
harbor, and the port of Wilmington would be sealed. Should Fort Fisher 
and the point of land on which it is built fall into the hands of our troops 
immediately on landing, then it will be worth the attempt to capture Wil- 
mington by a forced march and surprise. If time is consumed in gaining 
the first object of the expedition, the second will become a matter of after 
consideration. 

"The details for execution are intrusted to you and the officer imme- 
diately in command of the troops. 

" Should the troops under General Weitzel fail to effect a landing at or 
near Fort Fisher, they will be returned to the armies operating against 
Richmond without delay. 

"U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major-General B. F. Butler." 

General Butler commanding the army from which the troops were taken 
for this enterprise, and the territory in which they were to operate, military 
courtesy required that all orders and instructions should go through him. 
They were so sent ; but General Weitzel has since officially informed me that 
he never received the foregoing instructions, nor was he aware of their ex- 
istence until he read General Butler's published official report of the Fort 
Fisher failure, with my indorsement and papers accompanying it. I had 
no idea of General Butler's accompanying the expedition until the evening 
before it got off from Bermuda Hundred, and then did not dream but that 
General Weitzel had received all the instructions, and would be in command. 
I rather formed the idea that General Butler was actuated by a desire to 
witness the effect of the explosion of the powder-boat. The expedition was 
detained several days at Hampton Roads, awaiting the loading of the pow- 
der-boat. 

The importance of getting the Wilmington expedition off without any 
delay, with or without the powder-boat, had been urged upon General But- 
ler, and he advised to so notify Admiral Porter. 

The expedition finally got off on the 13th of December, and arrived at 
the place of rendezvous, off New Inlet, near Fort Fisher, on the evening of 
the 15th. Admiral Porter arrived on the evening of the 18th, having put 
in at Beaufort to get ammunition for the monitors. The sea becoming 
rough, making it difficult to land troops, and the supply of water and coal 
being about exhausted, the transport fleet put back to Beaufort to re- 
plenish. This, with the state of the weather, delayed the return to the 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



697 



place of rendezvous until the 24th. The powder-boat was exploded on the 
morning of the 24th, before the return of General Butler from Beaufort ; 
hut it would seem, from the notice taken of it in the Southern newspapers, 
that the enemy were never enlightened as to the object of the explosion, 
until they were informed by the Northern press. 

On the 25th, a landing was effected without opposition, aud a recon- 
noissance, under Brevet Brigadier-General Curtis, pushed up toward the 
fort. But before receiving a full report of the result of this reconnoissance, 
General Butler, in direct violation of the instructions given, ordered the 
re-embarkation of the troops and the return of the expedition. 

The re-embarkation was accomplished by the morning of the 27th. 

On the return of the expedition, officers and men — among them Brevet 
Major-General (then Brevet Brigadier-General) M. R. Curtis, First Lieu- 
tenant G. W. Ross, ■ Regiment Vermont Volunteers, First Lieutenant 

George W. Walling, and Second Lieutenant George Simpson, One Hundred 
and Forty-second New York Volunteers, voluntarily reported to me that 
when recalled they were nearly into the fort, and, in their opinion, it could 
have been taken without much loss. 

THE SUCCESSFUL ATTACK UNDER GENERAL TERRY. 

Soon after the return of the expedition, I received a dispatch from the 
Secretary of the Navy and a letter from Admiral Porter, informing me 
that the fleet was still off Fort Fisher, and expressing the conviction that, 
under a proper leader, the place could be taken. The natural supposition 
with me was that, when the troops abandoned the expedition, the navy 
would do so also. Finding it had not, however, I answered on the 30th of 
December, advising Admiral Porter to hold on, and that I would send a 
force and make another attempt to take the place. This time I selected 
Brevet Major-General (now Major-General) A. H. Terry to command the 
expedition. The troops composing it consisted of the same that composed 
the former, with the addition of a small brigade, numbering about fifteen 
hundred, and a small siege-train. The latter it was never found necessary 
to land. I communicated direct to the commander of the expedition the 
following instructions : — 

" City Point, Virginia, January 3, 1S65. 

" Geneeal : — The expedition intrusted to your command has been fitted 
out to renew the attempt to capture Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and 
Wilmington ultimately, if the fort falls. You will, then, proceed with as 
little delay as possible to the naval fleet lying off Cape Fear River, and 
report the arrival of yourself and command to Admiral D. D. Porter, com- 
manding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. 

"It is exceedingly desirable that the most complete understanding 
should exist between yourself and the naval commander. I suggest, there- 
fore, that you consult with Admiral Porter freely, and get from him the 
part to be performed by each branch of the public service, so that there 
may be unity of action. It would be well to have the whole programme 



698 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



laid down in writing. I have served with Admiral Porter, and know that 
you can rely on his judgment and his nerve to undertake what he pro- 
poses. I would, therefore, defer to him as much as is consistent with your 
own responsibilities. The first object to be attained is to get a firm posi- 
tion on the spit of land on which Fort Fisher is built, from which you can 
operate against that fort. You want to look to the practicability of receiv- 
ing your supplies, and to defending yourself against superior forces sent 
against you by any of the avenues left open to the enemy. If such a posi- 
tion can be obtained, the siege of Fort Fisher will not be abandoned until 
its reduction is accomplished or another plan of campaign is ordered from 
these head-quarters. 

"My own views are that, if you effect a landing, the navy ought to run 
a portion of their fleet into Cape Fear River, while the balance of it 
operates on the outside. Land forces cannot invest Fort Fisher, or cut it 
off from supplies or re-enforcements, while the river is in possession of the 
enemy. 

"A siege-train will be loaded on vessels and sent to Fort Monroe, in 
readiness to be sent to you if required. All other supplies can be drawn 
from Beaufort as you need them. 

"Keep the fleet of vessels with you until your position is assured. 
When you find they can be spared, order them back, or such of them as 
you can spare, to Fort Monroe, to report for orders. 

" In case of failure to effect a landing, bring your command back to 
Beaufort, and report to these head-quarters for further orders. You will 
not debark at Beaufort until so directed. 

"General Sheridan has been ordered to send a division of troops to 
Baltimore, and place them on sea-going vessels. ' These troops will be 
brought to Fort Monroe and kept there on the vessels until you are heard 
from. Should you require them, they will be sent to you. 

"U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 
"Brevet Major-General A. H. Teeey." 

Lieutenant-Colonel C. B. Comstock, Aid-de-camp (now Brevet Briga- 
dier-General), who accompanied the former expedition, was assigned in 
orders as Chief-Engineer to this. 

It will be seen that these instructions did not differ materially from 
those given for the first expedition, and that in neither instance was there 
an order to assault Fort Fisher. This was a matter left entirely to the dis- 
cretion of the commanding officer. 

The expedition sailed from Fort Monroe on the morning of the 6th, 
arriving at the rendezvous, off Beaufort, on the 8th, where, owing to the 
difficulties of the weather, it lay until the morning of the 12th, when it 
got under way and reached its destination that evening. Under cover of 
the fleet, the disembarkation of the troops commenced on the morning of the 
13th, and by three o'clock, p. m., was completed without loss. On the 14th, 
a reconnoissance was pushed to within five hundred yards of Fort Fisher, 
and a small advance work taken possession of and turned into a defensive 
line against any attompt that might be made from the fort. This recon- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 699 



noissance disclosed the fact that the front of the work had been seriously 
injured by the navy tire. In the afternoon of the 15th, the fort was 
assaulted, and, after most desperate fighting, was captured with its entire 
garrison and armament. Thus was secured, by the combined efforts of the 
navy and army, one of the most important successes of the war. Our loss 
was: killed, one hundred and ten ; wounded, five hundred and thirty-six. 
On the 16th and 17th, the enemy abandoned and blew up Fort Caswell and 
the works on Smith's Island, which were immediately occupied by us. 
This gave us entire control of the mouth of the Cape Fear River. 

At my request, Major-General B. F. Butler was relieved, and Major- 
General E. O. C. Ord assigned to the command of the department of Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina. 

SCHOFIELD BROUGHT EAST TO HELP SHERMAN. 

The defense of the line of' the Tennessee no longer requiring the force 
which had beaten and nearly destroyed the only army threatening it, I 
determined to find other fields of operations for General Thomas's surplus 
troops — fields from which they would co-operate with other movements. 
General Thomas was therefore directed to collect all troops, not essential 
to hold his communications at Eastport, in readiness for orders. On the 
7th of January, General Thomas was directed, if he was assured of the 
departure of Hood south from Corinth, to send General Schofield with his 
corps east with as little delay as possible. This direction was promptly 
complied with, and the advance of the corps reached Washington on the 
23d of the same month, whence it was sent to Fort Fisher and Newbern. 
On the 26th, he was directed to send General A. J. Smith's command and a 
division of cavalry to report to General Canby. By the 7th of February, 
the whole force was en route for its destination. 

The State of North Carolina was constituted into a military department, 
and General Schofield assigned to command, and placed under the orders of 
Major-General Sherman. The following instructions were given him : 

" City Point, Va., January 31, 1S65. 

"General: — * * * Your movements are intended as co-operative with 
Sherman's through the States of South and North Carolina. The first 
point to be attained is to secure Wilmington. Goldsboro' will then be 
your objective point, moving either from Wilmington or Newbern, or both, 
as you deem best. Should you not be able to reach Goldsboro', you will 
advance on the line or lines of railway connecting that place with the sea- 
coast — as near to it as you can, building the road behind you. The enter- 
prise under you has two objects : the first is to give Sherman material aid, 
if needed, in his march north ; the second, to open a base of supplies for 
him on his line of march. As soon, therefore, as you can determine which 
of the two points, Wilmington or Newbern, you can best use for throwing 
supplies from to the interior, you will commence the accumulation of 
twenty days' rations and forage for sixty thousand men and twenty 
thousand animals. You will get of these as many as you can house and 



700 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



protect to such point in the interior as you may be able to occupy. I 
believe General Palmer has received some instructions direct from General 
Sherman on the subject of securing supplies for his army. You can learn 
what steps he has taken, and be governed in your requisitions accordingly. 
A supply of ordnance stores will also be necessary. 

" Make all requisitions upon the chiefs of their respective departments in 
the field with me at City Point. Communicate with me by every opportu- 
nity, and, should you deem it necessary at any time, send a special boat to 
Fortress Monroe, from which point you can communicate by telegraph. 

" The supplies referred to in these instructions are exclusive of those 
required for your own command. 

" The movements of the enemy may justify, or even make it your imper- 
ative duty to cut loose from your base and strike for the interior to aid Sher- 
man. In such case, you will act on your own judgment, without waiting 
for instructions. You will report, however, what you purpose doing. The 
details for carrying out these instructions are necessarily left to you. I 
would urge, however, if I did not know that you are already fully alive to 
the importance of it, prompt action. Sherman may be looked for in the 
neighborhood of Goldsboro' any time from the 22d to the 28th of February; 
this limits your time very materially. 

" If rolling stock is not secured in the capture of Wilmington, it can be 
supplied from Washington. A large force of railroad men has already 
been sent to Beaufort, and other mechanics will go to Fort Fisher in a day 
or two. On this point I have informed you by telegraph. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General J. M. Schofield." 

Previous to giving these instructions, I bad visited Fort Fisher, accom- 
panied by General Schofield, for the purpose of seeing for myself the condi- 
tion of things, and personally conferring with General Terry and Admiral 
Porter as to what was best to be done. 

SHERMAN ORDERED TO SEND HELP TO MEADE. 

Anticipating the arrival of General Sherman at Savannah — his army en. 
tirely foot-loose, Hood being then before Nashville, Tennessee, the Southern 
railroads destroyed, so that it would take several months to re-establish a 
through line from east to west, and regarding the capture of Lee's army as 
the most important operation toward closing the rebellion — I sent orders to 
General Sherman, on the 6th of December, that, after establishing a base on 
the sea-coast, with necessary garrison, to include all his artillery and cavalry, 
to come by water to City Point with the balance of his command. 

THE ORDER COUNTERMANDED. 

On the 18th of December, having received information of the defeat and 
utter rout of Hood's army by General Thomas, and that, owing to the great 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 701 



difficulty of procuring ocean transportation, it would take over two months 
to transport Sherman's army, and doubting whether he might not contrib- 
ute as much toward the desired result by operating from where he was. I 
wrote to him to that effect, and asked him for his views as to what would 
be best to do. A few days after this, I received a communication from Gen- 
eral Sherman, of date 16th December, acknowledging receipt of my order of 
the 6th, and informing me of his preparations to carry it into effect as soon 
as he could get transportation. Also, that he had expected, upon reducing 
Savannah, instantly to march to Columbia, South Carolina, thence to Raleigh, 
and thence to report to me ; but that this would consume about six weeks 
time after the fall of Savannah, whereas by sea he could probably reach mo 
by the middle of January. The confidence he manifested in this letter of 
being able to march up and join me pleased me, and, without waiting for a 
reply to my letter of the 18th, I directed him, on the 28th of December, to 
make preparations to start, as he proposed, without delay, to break up the 
railroads in North and South Carolina, and join the armies operating against 
Richmond as soon as he could. 

On the 21st of January, I informed General Sherman that I had ordered 
the Twenty -third Corps, Major-General Schofield commanding, east; that 
it numbered about twenty-one thousand men ; that we had at Fort Fisher 
about eight thousand men ; at New hern about four thousand ; that if Wil- 
mington was captured, General Schofield would go there ; if not, he would 
be sent to Newbern ; that, in either event, all the surplus force at both points 
would move to the interior toward Goldsboro' in co-operation with his move- 
ment ; that, from either point, railroad communication could be run out ; 
and that all these troops would be subject to his orders as he came into 
communication with them. 

THE CAPTURE OF WILMINGTON. 

In obedience to his instructions, General Schofield proceeded to reduce 
Wilmington, North Carolina, in co-operation with the navy, under Admiral 
Porter, moving his forces up both sides of the Cape Fear River. Fort 
Anderson, the enemy's main defense on the west bank of the river, was 
occupied on the morning of the 19th, the enemy having evacuated it after 
our appearance before it. 

After fighting on the 20th and 21st, our troops entered Wilmington on 
the morning of the 22d, the enemy having retreated toward Goldsboro' 
during the night. Preparations were at once made for a movement on 
Goldsboro' in two columns — one from Wilmington and the other from 
Newbern — and to repair the railroad leading there from each place, as well 
as to supply General Sherman by Cape Fear River, toward Fayetteville, if 
it became necessary. The column from Newbern was attacked on the 8th 
of March at Wise's Forks, and driven back with the loss of several hun- 
dred prisoners. On the 11th, the enemy renewed his attack upon our 
intrenched position, but was repulsed with severe loss, and fell back dur- 
ing the night. On the 14th, the JSTeuse River was crossed and Kinston 
occupied, and on the 21st Goldsboro' was entered. The column from Wil- 



702 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



mington reached Cox's Bridge, on the Neuse River, ten miles above Golds- 
boro', on the 22d. 

SHERMAN MARCHING NORTH. 

By the 1st of February, General Sherman's whole army was in motion 
from Savannah. He captured Columbia, South Carolina, on the 17th; 
thence moved on Goldsboro\ North Carolina, via Fayetteville. reaching 
the latter place on the 12th of March, opening up communication with 
General Schofield by way of Cape Fear River. On the loth, he resumed 
his march on Goldsboro'. He met a force of the enemy at Averysboro'. 
and after a severe fight defeated and compelled it to retreat. Our loss in 
the engagement was about six hundred. The enemy's loss was much 
greater. On the 18th, the combined forces of the enemy, under Joe John- 
ston, attacked his advance at Bentonville, capturing three guns and driving 
it back upon the main body. General Slocum, who was in the advance, 
ascertaining that the whole of Johnston's army was in the front, arranged 
his troops on the defensive, intrenched himself, and awaited re-enforce- 
ments, which were pushed forward. On the night of the 21st, the enemy 
retreated to Smithfield, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. From 
there Sherman continued to Goldsboro', which place had been occupied by 
General Schofield on the 21st (crossing the Neuse River ten miles above 
there, at Cox's Bridge, where General Terry had got possession and thrown 
a pontoon bridge, on the 22d), thus forming a junction with the columns 
from Newbern and Wilmington. 

Among the important fruits of the campaign was the fall of Charleston, 
South Carolina. It was evacuated by the enemy on the night of the 17th 
of February, and occupied by our forces on the 18th, 

THE EFFORT TO RELEASE OUR PRISONERS AT SALISBURY. 

On the morning of the 31st of January, General Thomas was directed to 
send a cavalry expedition under General Stoneman from East Tennessee, to 
penetrate South Carolina well down toward Columbia, to destroy the rail- 
roads and military resources of the country, and return, if he was able, to 
East Tennessee by way of Salisbury, North Carolina, releasing our prison- 
ers there, if possible. Of the feasibility of this latter, however, General 
Stoneman was to judge. Sherman's movements, I had no doubt, would 
attract the attention of all the force the enemy could collect, and facilitate 
the execution of this. General Stoneman was so late in making his start 
on this expedition (and Sherman having passed out of the State of South 
Carolina), on the 27th of February, I directed General Thomas to change 
his course, and ordered him to repeat his raid of last fall, destroying the 
railroad toward Lynchburg as far as he could. This would keep him 
between our garrison in East Tennessee and the enemy. I regarded it not 
impossible that, in the event of the enemy being driven from Richmond, lie 
might fall back to Lynchburg, and attempt a raid north through East Tennes- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



703 



see. On the 14th of February, the following communication was sent to 
General Thomas : 

"City Poixt, Va., February 14, 1865. 

"General Canby is preparing a movement from Mobile Bay against 
Mobile and the interior of Alabama. His force will consist of about 
twenty thousand men, besides A. J. Smith's command. The cavalry you 
have sent to Canby will be debarked at Vicksburg. It, with the available 
cavalry already in that section, will move from there eastward, in co-opera- 
tion. Hood's army has been terribly reduced by the severe punishment 
you gave it in Tennessee, by desertion consequent upon their defeat, and 
now by the withdrawal of many of them to oppose Sherman. (I take it, 
a large portion of the infantry has been so withdrawn. It is so asserted 
in the Richmond papers, and a member of the rebel Congress said a few 
days since, in a speech, that one-half of it had been brought to South Caro- 
lina to oppose Sherman.) This being true, or even if it is not true, Can- 
by's movement will attract all the attention of the enemy, and leave the 
advance from your stand-point easy. I think it advisable, therefore, that 
you prepare as much of a cavalry force as you can spare, and hold it in 
readiness to go south. The object would be threefold: first, to attract as 
much of the enemy's force as possible to insure success to Canby ; second, 
to destroy the enemy's line of communications and military resources; 
third, to destroy or capture their forces brought into the field. Tuscaloosa 
and Selma would probably be the points to direct the expedition against. 
This, however, would not be so important as the mere fact of penetrating 
deep into Alabama. Discretion should be left to the officer commanding 
the expedition to go where, according to the information he may receive, 
he will best secure the objects named above. 

" Now that your force has been so much depleted, I do not know what 
number of men you can put into the field. If not more than five thousand 
men, however, all cavalry, I think it will be sufficient. It is not desirable 
that you should start this expedition until the one leaving Vicksburg has 
been three or four days out, or even a week. I do not know w^hen it will 
start, but will inform you by telegraph as soon as I learn. If you should 
hear through other sources before hearing from me, you can act on the infor- 
mation received. 

" To insure success, your cavalry should go with as little wagon train as 
possible, relying upon the country for supplies. I would also reduce the 
number of guns to a battery, or the number of batteries, and put the extra 
teams to the wagons taken. No guns or caissons should be taken with less 
than eight horses. 

"Please inform me by telegraph, on receipt of this, what force you think 
you will be able to send under these directions. 

" TJ. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General G. H. Thomas." 

On the 15th, he was directed to start the expedition as soon after the 
20th as he could get it off. 



704 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



SHERIDAN AGAIN ON THE RAILROADS. 

I deemed it of the utmost importance, before a general movement of the 
armies operating against Richmond, that all communication with the citj, 
north of James River, should be cut off. The enemy having withdrawn the 
bulk of his force from the Shenandoah Valley and sent it south, or replaced 
troops sent from Richmond, and desiring to re-enforce Sherman, if practi- 
cable, whose cavalry was greatly inferior in numbers to that of the enemy, 
I determined to make a move from the Shenandoah, which, if successful, 
would accomplish the first at least, and possibly the latter of these objects. 
I therefore telegraphed General Sheridan as follows : — 

" City Point, Va., February 20, 1865—1 p. m. 

" General : — As soon as it is possible to travel, I think you will have 
no difficulty about reaching Lynchburg with a cavalry force alone. From 
there you could destroy the railroad and canal in every direction, so as to 
be of no further use to the rebellion. Sufficient cavalry should be left be- 
hind to look after Mosby's gang. From Lynchburg, if information you 
might get there would justify it, you could strike south, heading the streams 
in Virginia to the westward of Danville, and push on and join General 
Sherman. This additional raid, with one now about starting from East 
Tennessee under Stoneman, numbering four or five thousand cavalry, one 
from Vicksburg, numbering seven or eight thousand cavalry, one from East- 
port, Mississippi, ten thousand cavalry, Canby from Mobile Bay with about 
thirty-eight thousand mixed troops, these three latter pushing for Tuscaloo- 
sa, Selma, and Montgomery, and Sherman with a large army eating out the 
vitals of South Carolina, is all that will be wanted to leave nothing for the 
rebellion to stand upon. I would advise you to overcome great obstacles 
to accomplish this. Charleston was evacuated on Tuesday last. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major- General P. H. Sheridan." 

Pn the 25th, I received a dispatch from General Sheridan, inquiring 
w r here Sherman was aiming for, and if I could give him definite information 
as to the points he might be expected to move on this side of Charlotte, 
North Carolina. In answer, the following telegram was sent him : — 

" City Point, Va., February 25, 18G5. 

" General : — Sherman's movements will depend on the amount of op- 
position he meets with from the enemy. If strongly opposed, he may pos- 
sibly have to fall back to Georgetown, South Carolina, and fit out for a new 
start. I think, however, all danger for the necessity of going to that point 
has passed. I believe he has passed Charlotte. He may take Fayetteville on 
his way to Goldsboro'. If you reach Lynchburg, you will have to bo 
guided in your after movements by the information you obtain. Before 
you could possibly reach Sherman, I think you would find him moving from 
Goldsboro' toward Raleigh, or engaging the enemy strongly posted at one 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



705 



or the other of these places, with railroad communications opened from his 
army to Wilmington or Newbern. 

' ; U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General P. H. Sheridan." 

EXTENT OF SHERIDAN'S WORK. 
Gen. Sheridan moved from Winchester on the 27th of February, with 
two divisions of cavalry, numbering about five thousand each. On the 1st of 
March he secured the bridge, which the enemy attempted to destroy, across 
the middle fork of the Shenandoah, at Mount Crawford, and entered Staun- 
ton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated to Waynesboro'. Thence he 
pushed on to Waynesboro', where he found the enemy in force in an in- 
trenched position, under General Early. Without stopping to make a re- 
connoissance, an immediate attack was made, the position was carried, and 
one thousand six hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery, with horses 
and caissons complete, two hundred wagons and teams loaded with subsist- 
ence, and seventeen battle flags were captured. The prisoners, under an 
escort of one thousand five hundred men, were sent back to Winchester. 
Thence he marched on Charlottesville, destroying effectually the railroad and 
bridges as he went, which place he reached on the 3d. Here he remained 
two days, destroying the railroad toward Richmond and Lynchburg, includ- 
ing the large iron bridges over the north and south forks of the Rivanna 
River, and awaiting the arrival of his trains. This necessary delay caused 
him to abandon the idea of capturing Lynchburg. On the morning of the 
6th, dividing his force into two columns, he sent one to Scottsville, whence it 
marched up the James River Canal to New-Market, destroying every lock, 
and in many places the bank of the canal. From here a force was pushed 
out from this column to Duiguidsville, to obtain possession of the bridge 
across the James River at that place, but failed. The enemy burned it on 
our approach. The enemy also burned the bridge across the river at Hard- 
wicksville. The other column moved down the railroad toward Lynch- 
burg, destroying it as far as Amherst Court-House, sixteen miles from 
Lynchburg; thence across the country, uniting with the column at New- 
Market. The river being very high, his pontoons would not reach across 
it ; and the enemy having destroyed the bridges by which he had hoped 
to cross the river and get on the South Side Railroad about Farmville, and 
destroy it to Appomattox Court-House, the only thing left for him was to 
return to Winchester or strike a base at the White House. Fortunately, 
he chose the latter. From New-Market he took up his line of march, fol- 
lowing the canal toward Richmond, destroying every lock upon it and cut- 
ting the banks wherever practicable, to a point eight miles east of Gooch- 
land, concentrating the whole force at Columbia on the 10th. Here he 
rested one day, and sent through by scouts information of his whereabouts 
and purposes, and a request for supplies to meet him at White House, 
which reached me on the night of the 12th. An infantry force was imme- 
diately sent to get possession of White House, and supplies were forwarded. 
Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten Richmond, to near Ash- 
45 



706 



LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



land Station, he crossed the Annas, and, after having destroyed all the 
bridges and many miles of the railroad, proceeded down the north bank of 
the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on the 19th. 

Previous to this, the following communication was sent to General 
Thomas : — 

" City Point, Va., March 7, 1SG5— 9:30 a. m. 

" Geneeal : — I think it will be advisable now for you to repair the railroad 
in East Tennessee, and throw a good force up to Bull's Gap and fortify 
there. Supplies at Knoxville could always be got forward as required. 
With Bull's Gap fortified, you can occupy as outposts about all of East 
Tennessee, and be prepared, if it should be required of you in the Spring, 
to make a campaign toward Lynchburg, or into North Carolina. I do not 
think Stoneman should break the road until he gets into Virginia, unless it 
should be to cut off rolling stock that may be caught west of that. 

" U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

" Major-General G. H. Thomas." 

THE SITUATION IN MARCH, 1865. 

Thus it will be seen that in March, 1865, General Canby was moving 
an adequate force against Mobile and the army defending it under General 
Dick Taylor; Thomas was pushing out two large and well-appointed 
cavalry expeditions — one from Middle Tennessee, under Brevet Major-Gen- 
eral Wilson, against the enemy's vital points in Alabama, the other from 
East Tennessee, under Major-General Stoneman, toward Lynchburg — and 
assembling the remainder of his available forces, preparatory to offensive 
operations from East Tennessee; General Sheridan's cavalry was at the 
White House ; the Armies of the Potomac and James were confronting the 
enemy under Lee in his defenses of Richmond and Petersburg; General 
Sherman, with his armies, re-enforced by that of General Schofield, was at 
Goldsboro'; General Pope was making preparations for a Spring campaign 
against the enemy under Kirby Smith and General Price, west of the 
Mississippi ; and General Hancock was concentrating a force in the vicinity 
of Winchester, Virginia, to guard against invasion or to operate offensively, 
as might prove necessary. 

After the long march by General Sheridan's cavalry over Winter roads, 
it was necessary to rest and refit at White House. At this time, the greatest 
sonrce of uneasiness to me was, the fear that the enemy would leave his 
strong lines about Petersburg and Richmond for the purpose of uniting 
with Johnston, before he was driven from them by battle, or I was pre- 
pared to make an effectual pursuit. On the 24th of March, General Sheri- 
dan moved from White House, crossed the James River at Jones's Landing, 
and formed a junction with the Army of the Potomac in front of Peters- 
burg on the 27th. During this move, General Ord sent forces over to 
cover the crossings of the Chickahominy. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A GENERAL MOVEMENT. 
On the 24th of March, the following instructions for a general movement 
of the armies operating against Richmond were issued: — 



LIEUTENANT- GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 7()7 



'•City Poixt, Ya., March 24, 1865. 

44 General: — On the 29tli instant, the armies operating against Rich- 
mond will be moved by our left for the double purpose of turning the 
enemy out of his present position around Petersburg, and to insure the 
success of the cavalry under General Sheridan, which will start at the same 
time, in its efforts to reach and destroy the South Side and Danville Rail- 
roads. Two corps of the Army of the Potomac will be moved at first in 
two columns, taking the two roads crossing Hatcher's Run nearest where 
the present line held by us strikes that stream, both moving toward Din- 
widdle Court-House. 

'•The cavalry, under General Sheridan, joined by the division now 
under General Davies, will move at the same time by the TVeldon road and 
the Jerusalem plank-road, turning west from the latter before crossing the 
Nottoway, and west with the whole column before reaching Stony Creek. 
General Sheridan will then move independently, under other instructions 
which will be given him. All dismounted cavalry belonging to the Army 
of the Potomac, and the dismounted cavalry from the Middle Military 
Division not required for guarding property belonging to their arm of 
service, will report to Brigadier-General Benham, to be added to the 
defenses of City Point. Major-General Parke will be left in command of 
all the army left for holding the lines about Petersburg and City Point, 
subject, of course, to orders from the commander of the Army of the 
Potomac. The Ninth Army Corps will be left intact, to hold the present 
line of works so long as the whole line now occupied by us is held. If, 
however, the troops to the left of the Ninth Corps are withdrawn, then 
the left of the corps may be thrown back so as to occupy the position held 
by the army prior to the capture of the Weldon road. All troops to the 
left of the Ninth Corps will be held in readiness to move at the shortest 
notice by such route as may be designated when the order is given. 

" General Ord will detach three divisions, two white and one colored, 
or so much of them as he can, and hold his present lines, and march for 
the present left of the Army of the Potomac. In the absence of further 
orders, or until further orders are given, the white divisions will follow the 
left column of the Army of the Potomac, and the colored division the right 
column. During the movement, Major-General Weitzel will be left in com- 
mand of all the forces remaining behind from the Army of the James. 

" The movement of troops from the Army of the James will commence 
on the night of the 27th instant. General Ord will leave behind the mini- 
mum number of cavalry necessary for picket duty, in the absence of the 
main army. A cavalry expedition from General Ord's command will also 
be started from Suffolk, to leave there on Saturday, the 1st of April, under 
Colonel Sumner, for the purpose of cutting the railroad about Hicksford. 
This, if accomplished, will have to be a surprise, and therefore from three 
to five hundred men will be sufficient. They should, however, be supported 
by all the infantry that can be spared from Norfolk and Portsmoulh, as far 
out as to where the cavalry crosses the Blackwater. The crossing should 
probably be at Uniten. Should Colonel Sumner succeed in reaching the 



70S LIFE AM) CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



"Weldon road, lie will be instructed to do all the damage possible to the 
triangle of roads between Hicksford, TTeldon, and Gaston. The railroad 
bridge at Weldon being fitted up for the passage of carriages, it might be 
practicable to destroy any accumulation of supplies the enemy may have 
collected south of the Roanoke. All the troops will move with four days' 
rations in haversacks, and eight days' 1 in wagons. To avoid as much haul- 
ing as possible, and to give the Army of the James the same number of 
days' supply with the Army of the Potomac, General Ord will direct his 
commissary and quartermaster to have sufficient supplies delivered at the 
terminus of the road to fill up in passing. Sixty rounds of ammunition per 
man will be taken in wagons, and as much grain as the transportation on 
hand will carry, after taking the specified amount of other supplies. The 
densely wooded country in which the army has to operate making the use 
of much artillery impracticable, the amount taken with the army will be 
reduced to six or eight guns to each division, at the option of the army 
commander. 

" All necessary preparations for carrying these directions into operation 
may be commenced at once. The reserves of the Ninth Corps should be 
massed as much as possible. Whilst I would not now order an uncon- 
ditional attack on the enemy's line by them, they should be ready, and 
should make the attack if the enemy weakens his line in their front, with- 
out waiting for orders. In case they carry the line, then the whole of the 
Ninth Corps could follow up, so as to join or co-operate with the balance 
of the army. To prepare for this, the Ninth Corps will have rations issued 
to them, same as the balance of the army. General Weitzel will keep 
vigilant watch upon his front, and if found at all practicable to break 
through at any point, he will do so. A success north of the James should 
be followed up with great promptness. An attack will not be feasible un- 
less it is found that the enemy has detached largely. In that ease it may 
be regarded as evident that the enemy is relying upon his local reserves, 
principally, for the defense of Richmond. Preparations may be made 
for abandoning all the line north of the James, except inclosed works — 
only to be abandoned, however, after a break is made in the lines of the 
enemy. 

" By these instructions, a large part of the armies operating against Rich- 
mond is left behind. The enemy, knowing this, may, as an only chance, 
strip his lines to the merest skeleton, in the hope of advantage not being 
taken of it, while he hurls every thing against the moving column, and 
returns. It cannot be impressed too strongly upon commanders of troops 
left in the trenches, not to allow this to occur without taking advantage of 
it. The very fact of the enemy coming out to attack, if he does so, might 
be regarded as almost conclusive evidence of such a weakening of his lines. 
I would have it particularly enjoined upon corps commanders that, in case 
of an attack from the enemy, those not attacked are not to wait for orders 
from the commanding officer of the army to which they belong, but that 
they will move promptly, and notify the commander of their action. I 
would also enjoin the same action on the part of division commanders, 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



709 



when other parts of their corps are engaged. In like manner, I would 
urge the importance of following up a repulse of the enemy. 

U TJ. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-Generals Meade, Oed, and Sheridan.' 1 

THE BATTLE OF THE 25TH OF MARCH. 
Early on the morning of the 25th, the enemy assaulted our lines in front 
of the Ninth Corps (which held from the Appomattox River toward our 
left) and carried Fort Steadman, and apart of the line to the right and left 
of it, established themselves, and turned the guns of the fort against us ; 
but our troops on either flank held their ground until the reserves were 
brought up, when the enemy was driven back with a heavy loss in killed 
and wounded, and one thousand nine hundred prisoners. Our loss was 
sixty-eight killed, three hundred and thirty-seven wounded, and five hun- 
dred and six missing. General Meade at once ordered the other corps to 
advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts. Pushing forward, 
they captured and held the enemy's strongly intrenched picket line in front 
of the Second and Sixth Corps, and eight hundred and thirty-four prisoners. 
The enemy made desperate attempts to retake this line, but without suc- 
cess. Our loss in front of these was fifty-two killed, eight hundred and 
sixty-four wounded, and two hundred and seven missing. The enemy's 
loss in killed and wounded was far greater. 

SHERMAN READY TO COME TO MEADE 5 S ASSISTANCE. 

General Sherman, having got his troops all quietly in camp about Golds- 
boro', and his preparations for furnishing supplies to them perfected, visited 
me at City Point, on the 27th of March, and stated that he would be ready 
to move, as he had previously written me, by the 10th of April, fully 
equipped and rationed for twenty days, if it should become necessary to 
bring his command to bear against Lee's army, in co-operation with our 
forces in front of Richmond and Petersburg. General Sherman proposed, 
in this movement, to threaten Raleigh, and then, by turning suddenly to the 
right, reach the Roanoke at Gaston or thereabouts, whence he could move 
on to the Richmond and Danville Railroad, striking it in the vicinity of 
Burkesville, or join the armies operating against Richmond, as might be 
deemed best. This plan he was directed to carry into execution, if he re- 
ceived no further directions in the mean time. I explained to him the 
movement I had ordered to commence on the 29th of March. That if it 
should not prove as entirely successful as I hoped, I would cut the cavalry 
loose to destroy the Danville and South Side Railroads, and thus deprive the 
enemy of further supplies, and, also, prevent the rapid concentration of Lee's 
and J ohnston's armies. 

GRANT FEARS THAT LEE WILL RUN AWAY, AND ORDERS 
THE GRAND MOVEMENT AT ONCE. 
I had spent days of anxiety lest each morning should bring the report 
that the enemy had retreated the night before. I was firmly convinced that 



710 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



Sherman's crossing the Roanoke would be the signal for Lee to leave. "With 
Johnston and him combined, a long, tedious, and expensive campaign, con- 
suming most of the Summer, might become necessary. By moving out, I 
would put the army in better condition for pursuit, and would, at least, by 
the destruction of the Danville road, retard the concentration of the two 
armies of Lee and Johnston, and cause the enemy to abandon much mate- 
rial that he might otherwise save. I therefore determined not to delay the 
movement ordered. 

On the night of the 27th, Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the 
Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division 
of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier-General Birney commanding, and 
McKenzie's cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing 
instructions, and reached the position assigned him, near Hatcher's Run, 
on the morning of the 29th. On the 28th, the following instructions were 
given to General Sheridan : — 

"Cm Point, Va., March 28, 1805. 
' ' Gexeeal : — The Fifth Army Corps will move by the Yaughn road at three 
a. m., to-morrow morning. The Second moves at about nine a. m., having but 
about three miles to march to reach the point designated for it to take on the 
right of the Fifth Corps, after the latter reaching Dinwiddie Court-House. 
Move your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without being con- 
fined to any particular road or roads. You may go out by the nearest roads 
in rear of the Fifth Corps, pass by its left, and, passing near to or through 
Dinwiddie, reach the right and rear of the enemy as soon as you can. It is 
not the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched position, but to force 
him out, if possible. Should he come out and attack us, or get himself 
where he can be attacked, move in with your entire force in your own way, 
and with the full reliance that the army will engage or follow, as circum- 
stances will dictate. I shall be on the field, and will probably be able to 
communicate with you. Should I not do so, and you find that the enemy 
keeps within his main intrenched line, you may cut loose and push for the 
Danville road. If you find it practicable, I would like you to cross the 
South Side road, between Petersburg and Burkesville, and destroy it to 
some extent. I would not advise much detention, however, until you reach 
the Danville road, which I would like you to strike as near to the Appo- 
mattox as possible. Make your destruction on that road as complete as 
possible. You can then pass on to the South Side road, west of Burkesville, 
and destroy that, in like manner. 

"After having accomplished the destruction of the two railroads, which 
are now the only avenues of supply to Lee's army, you may return to this 
army, selecting your road further south, or you may go on into North Caro- 
lina, and join General Sherman. Should you select the latter course, get 
the information to me as early as possible, so that I may send orders to 
meet you at Goldsboro'. 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major-General P. H. Sheeidan." 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 711 



BEGINNING OF THE END. 

On the morning of the 29th, the movement commenced. At night, the 
cavalry was at Dinwiddie Court-House, and the left of our infantry line ex- 
tended to the Quaker road, near its intersection with the Boydtown plank- 
road. The position of the troops from left to right was as follows : 

Sheridan, "Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke. 

Every thing looked favorable to the defeat of the enemy, and the capture 
of Petersburg and Richmond, if the proper effort was made. I therefore 
addressed the following communication to General Sheridan, having previ- 
ously informed him verbally not to cut loose for the raid contemplated in 
his orders until he received notice from me to do so : — 

" Geavelly Ceeek, March 29, 1865. 

" General : — Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to Din- 
widdie. We are all ready, however, to give up all, from the Jerusalem 
plank-road to Hatcher's Run, whenever the forces can be used advantage- 
ously. After getting into line south of Hatcher's, we pushed forward to 
find the enemy's position. General Griffin was attacked near where the 
Quaker road intersects the Boydtown road, but repulsed it easily, capturing 
about one hundred men. Humphreys reached Dabney's Mill, and was 
pushing on when last heard from. 

" I now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do so, before 
going back. I do not want you, therefore, to cut loose and go after the 
enemy's roads at present. In the morning, push around the enemy, if you 
can, and get on to his right rear. The movements of the enemy's cavalry 
may, of course, modify your action. We will act all together, as one array, 
here, until it is seen what can be done with the enemy. The signal officer 
at Cobb's Hill reported, at 11 : 30 a. m., that a cavalry column had passed 
that point from Richmond toward Petersburg, taking forty minutes to pass. 

" U. S. Geant, Lieutenant-General. 

"Major- General P. H. Sheeidan." 

HEAVY RAIN-STORM AS USUAL — PROGRESS OF THE WAR. 

From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in 
such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except as 
corduroy roads were laid in front of them. During the 30th, Sheridan 
advanced from Dinwiddie Court-House toward Five Forks, where he found 
the enemy in force. General Warren advanced and extended his line 
across the Boydtown plank-road to near the White Oak road, with a view 
of getting across the latter; but finding the enemy strong in his front and 
extending beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and 
fortify. General Humphreys drove the enemy from his front into his main 
line on the Hatcher, near Burgess's Mills. Generals Ord, Wright and Parke 
made examinations in their fronts to determine the feasibility of an assault 
on the enemy's lines. The two latter reported favorably. The enemy con- 
fronting us, as he did at every .point from Richmond to our extreme left, 



712 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



I conceived his lines must be weakly held, and could be penetrated if my 
estimate of his forces was correct. I determined, therefore, to extend my 
line no further, but to re-enforce General Sheridan with a corps of infantry, 
and thus enable him to cut loose and turn the enemy's right flank, and with 
the other corps assault the enemy's lines. The result of the offensive 
effort of the enemy the week before, when he assaulted Fort Steadman, 
particularly favored this. The enemy's intrenched picket line, captured by 
ns at that time, threw the lines occupied by the belligerents so close 
together at some points, that it was but a moment's run from one to the 
other. Preparations were at once made to relieve General Humphreys's 
corps, to report to General Sheridan ; but the condition of the roads pre- 
vented immediate movement. On the morning of the 31st, General Warren 
reported favorably to getting possession of the White Oak road, and was 
directed to do so. To accomplish this, he moved with one division, instead 
of his whole corps, which was attacked by the enemy in superior force and 
driven back on the second division before it had time to form, and it, in 
turn, forced back upon the third division, when the enemy was checked. A 
division of the Second Corps was immediately sent to his support, the 
enemy driven back with heavy loss, and possession of White Oak road 
gained. Sheridan advanced, and with a portion of his cavalry got posses- 
sion of the Five Forks, but the enemy, after the affair with the Fifth Corps, 
re-enforced the rebel cavalry, defending that point with infantry, and forced 
him back toward Dinwiddie Court-TIouse. Here General Sheridan displayed 
great generalship. Instead of retreating with his whole command on the 
main army, to tell the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his 
cavalry on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take charge of the 
horses. This compelled the enemy to deploy over a vast extent of w^oods 
and broken country, and made his progress slow. At this juncture he dis- 
patched to me what had taken place, and that he was dropping back slowly 
on Dinwiddie Court-House. General McKenzie's cavalry and one division 
of the Fifth Corps were immediately ordered to his assistance. Soon after 
receiving a report from General Meade that Humphreys could hold our 
position on the Boydtown road, and that the other two divisions of the 
Fifth Corps could go to Sheridan, they were so ordered at once. Thus the 
operations of the day necessitated the sending of Warren because of his 
accessibility, instead of Humphreys, as was intended, and precipitated 
intended movements. On the morning of the 1st. of April, General 
Sheridan, re-qnforced by General Warren, drove the enemy back on Five 
Forks, where, late in the evening, he assaulted and carried his strongly 
fortified position, capturing all his artillery and between live thousand and 
six thousand prisoners. About the close of this battle, Brevet Major-Gen- 
eral Charles Griffin relieved Major-General Warren in command of the 
Fifth Corps. The report of this reached me after nightfall. Some appre- 
hensions filled my mind lest the enemy might desert his lines during the 
night, and, by falling upon General Sheridan before assistance could reach 
him, drive him from his position, and open the w T ay for retreat. To guard 
against this, General Miles's division of Humphreys' corps was sent to re- 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



713 



enforce him, and a bombardment was commenced and kept up until four 
o'clock in the morning (April 2d), when an assault was ordered on the 
enemy's lines. General Wright penetrated the lines with his whole corps, 
sweeping every thing before him and to his left toward Hatcher's Run, 
capturing many guns and several thousand prisoners. He was closely 
followed by two divisions of General Ord's command, until he met the 
other division of General Ord's that had succeeded in forcing the enemy's 
lines near Hatcher's Run. Generals Wright and Ord immediately swung 
to the right, and closed all the enemy on that side of , them in Petersburg, 
while General Humphreys pushed forward with two divisions and joined 
General Wright on the left. General Parke succeeded in carrying the 
enemy's main line, capturing guns and prisoners, but was unable to carry 
his inner line. General Sheridan, being advised of the condition of affairs, 
returned General Miles to his proper command. On reaching the enemy's 
lines immediately surrounding Petersburg, a portion of General Gibbon's 
corps, by a most gallant charge, captured two strong, inclosed works — the 
most salient and commanding south of Petersburg — thus materially 
shortening the line of investment necessary for taking the city. The 
enemy south of Hatcher's Run retreated westward to Sutherland's Station, 
where they were overtaken by Miles's division. A severe engagement 
ensued, and lasted until both his right and left flanks were threatened by 
the approach of General Sheridan, who was moving from Ford's Station 
toward Petersburg, and a division sent by General Meade from the front 
of Petersburg, when he broke in the utmost confusion, leaving in our 
hands his guns and many prisoners. This force retreated by the main road 
along the Appomattox River. 



THE FLIGHT OF LEE FROM RICHMOND. 

During the night of the 2d, the enemy evacuated Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, and retreated toward Danville. On the morning of the 3d, pursuit 
was commenced. General Sheridan pushed for the Danville road, keeping 
near the Appomattox, followed by General Meade, with the Second and 
Sixth Corps, while General Ord moved from Burkesville, along the South 
Side road; the Ninth Corps stretched along that road behind him. On 
the 4th, General Sheridan struck the Danville road, near Jettersville, where 
he learned that Lee was at Amelia Court-House. He immediately in- 
trenched himself, and awaited the arrival of General Meade, who reached 
there the next day. General Ord reached Burkesville on the evening of 
the 5th. 

On the morning of the 5th, I addressed Major-General Sherman the 
following communication : — 

" Wilson's Station, April 5, 1S65. 
"General: — All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach 
Danville with the remnant of his force. Sheridan, who was up with him 
last night, reports all that is left— horse, foot, and dragoons— at twenty 



714 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



thousand, much demoralized. We hope to reduce this number one-half. 
I shall push on to Burkesville, and, if a stand is made at Danville, will in a 
very few days go there. If you can possibly do so, push on from where 
you are, and let us see if we cannot finish the job with Lee's and John- 
ston's armies. Whether it will be better for you to strike for Greensboro' 
or nearer to Danville, you will be better able to judge when you receive 
this. Rebel armies now are the only strategic points to strike at. 

" IT. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 
" Major- General W. T. Sherman." 

On the morning of the 6th, it was found that General Lee was moving 
west of Jettersville, toward Danville. General Sheridan moved with his 
cavalry (the Fifth Corps having been returned to General Meade on his 
reaching Jettersville) to strike his flank, followed by the Sixth Corps, while 
the Second and Fifth Corps pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon 
several hundred wagons, and several pieces of artillery. General Ord 
advanced from Burkesville toward Farmville, sending two regiments of 
infantry, and a squadron of cavalry, under Brevet Brigadier-General 
Theodore Read, to reach and destroy the bridges. This advance met the 
head of Lee's column near Farmville, which it heroically attacked, and 
detained until General Read was killed, and his small force overpowered. 
This caused a delay in the enemy's movements, and enabled General Ord 
to get well up with the remainder of his force, on meeting which the 
enemy immediately intrenched himself. In the afternoon General Sheridan 
struck the enemy south of Sailor's Creek, captured sixteen pieces of 
artillery, and about four hundred wagons, and detained him until the 
Sixth Corps got up, when a general attack of infantry and cavalry was 
made, which resulted in the capture of six thousand or seven thousand 
prisoners, among whom were many general officers. The movements of 
the Second Corps, and General Ord's command, contributed greatly to the 
day's success. 

On the morning of the 7th, the pursuit was renewed, the cavalry, 
except one division, and the Fifth Corps, moving by Prince Edward's 
Court-House ; the Sixth Corps, General Ord's command, and one divisiou 
of cavalry, on Farmville, and the Second Corps by the High Bridge road. 
It was soon found that the enemy had crossed to the north side of the 
Appomattox ; but so close was the pursuit that the Second Corps got 
possession of the common bridge at High Bridge before the enemy could 
destroy it, and immediately crossed over. The Sixth Corps and a division 
of cavalry crossed at Farmville to its support. 

NEGOTIATIONS OPENED FOR LEE'S SURRENDER. 

Feeling now that General Lee's chance of escape was utterly hope- 
less, I addressed him the following communication from Farmville : — 

" Apr il 7, 18G5. 

" General: — The result of the last week must convince you of the 
hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the army of Northern 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



715 



Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to 
shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by 
asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States 
army known as the Army of Northern Virginia. 

" IT. S. Grant, Lieuten ant-General. 

" General R. E. Lee." 

Early on the morning of the 8th, before leaving, I received at Farmville 
the following: — 

"General: — I have received your note of this date. Though not 
entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further 
resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate 
your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before con- 
sidering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its 
surrender. 

"E. E. Lee, General. 

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 
To this I immediately replied : — 

"April 8,1S65. 

" General : — Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of the same 
date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the 
Army of Northern Virginia, is just received. In reply, I would say that 
peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, 
namely : that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for tak- 
ing up arms again against the Government of the United States until 
properly exchanged. I will meet you, or will designate officers to meet 
any officers you may name for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to 
you, for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the sur- 
render of the Army of Northern Virginia will be received. 

" U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" General R. E. Lee." 

Early on the morning of the 8th, the pursuit was resumed. General 
Meade followed north of the Appomattox, and General Sheridan, with 
all the cavalry, pushed straight for Appomattox Station, followed by 
General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps. During the day, Gen- 
eral Meade's advance had considerable fighting with the enemy's rear- 
guard, but was unable to bring on a general engagement. Late in the 
evening, General Sheridan struck the railroad at Appomattox Station, 
drove the enemy from there, and captured twenty-five pieces . of artil- 
lery, a hospital train, and four trains of cars loaded with supplies for 
Lee's army. During this day I accompanied General Meade's column, and 
about midnight received the following communication from General Lee : — 

"April 8, 1865. 

" General : — I received at a late hour your note of to-day. In mine of 
yesterday, I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of North- 
ern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do 



716 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this array ; 
but, as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desired to 
know whether your proposals would lead to that end. I cannot, therefore, 
meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia, but as 
far as your proposal may affect, the Confederate States forces under my 
command, and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to 
meet you at ten a. m. to-morrow, on the old stage road to Richmond, be- 
tween the picket lines of the two armies. 

" R. E. Lee, General 

"Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

Early on the morning of the 9th, I returned him an answer as follows, 
and immediately started to join the column south of the Appomattox : — 

u April 9, 1S65. 

" General : — Your note of yesterday is received. I have no authority to 
treat on the subject of peace ; the meeting proposed for ten a. m. to-day 
could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally 
anxious for peace with yourself, and the whole North entertains the same 
feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. 
By the South laying down their arms, they will hasten that most desirable 
event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property 
not yet destroyed. Seriously hoping that all our difficulties may be settled 
without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, &c, 

"U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

" General R. E. Lee." 

On the morning of the 9th, General Ord's command and the Fifth Corps 
reached Appomattox Station just as the enemy was making a desperate 
effort to break through our cavalry. The infantry was at once thrown in. 
Soon after a white flag was received, requesting a suspension of hostilities 
pending negotiations of surrender. 

Before reaching General Sheridan's head-quarters, I received the follow- 
ing from General Lee : — 

" April 9, 1S65. 

"General: — I received your note of this morning on the picket line, 
whither I had come to meet you, and ascertain definitely what terms were 
embraced in your proposal of yesterday with reference to the surrender of 
this army. I now ask an interview in accordance- with the offer contained 
in your letter of yesterday for that purpose. 

11 R. E. Lee, General. 

" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

MEETING OF GRANT AND LEE — THE STTRRENDR. 
The interview was held at Appomattox Court-House, the result of which 
is set forth in the following correspondence : — 

" Appomattox Court-House, Va., April 9, 1S65. 

" General : — In accordance with the substance of my letter to you of the 
8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern 
Virginia on the following terms, to wit: Rolls of all the officers and men 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 



717 



to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer to be designated 
by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may desig- 
nate. The officers to give their individual parole not to take up arms 
against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged; 
and each company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men 
of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked 
and stacked and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive 
them. This will not embrace the side-arms of the officers nor their private 
horses or baggage. This done, each officer and man will be allowed to re- 
turn to his home, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long 
as they observe their paroles and the laws in force where they may 
reside. 

'• U. S. Grant, Lieutenant- General. 

" General R. E. Lee." 

" Head-Quaetees Aemy of Noetheen Yieginia, April 9, 1865. 

" Gexeeal : — I received your letter of this date containing the terms of the 
surrender of the Army of Northern Yirginia as proposed by you. As they 
are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th in- 
stant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to 
carry the stipulations into effect. "R. E. Lee, General. 

" Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant." 

The command of Major-General Gibbon, the Fifth Army Corps under 
Griffin, and McKenzie's cavalry, w-ere designated to remain at Appomattox 
Court-House until the paroling of the surrendered army was completed, and 
to take charge of the public property. The remainder of the army im- 
mediately returned to the vicinity of Burkesville. 

General Lee's great influence throughout the whole South caused his 
example to be followed, and to-day the result is that the armies lately 
under his leadership are at their homes, desiring peace and quiet, and their 
arms are in the hands of our ordnance officers. 

Sherman's dealings with johnson. 

On the receipt of my letter of the 5th, General Sherman moved directly 
against Joe Johnston, who retreated rapidly on and through Raleigh, 
which place General Sherman occupied on the morning of the 13th. The day 
preceding, news of the surrender of General Lee reached him at Smithfield. 

On the 14th, a correspondence was opened between General Johnston, 
which resulted, on the 18th, in an agreement for a suspension of hostilities, 
and a memorandum or basis for peace, subject to the approval of the Pres- 
ident. This agreement was disapproved by the President on the 21st, 
which disapproval, with your instructions, was communicated to General 
Sherman by me in person, on the morning of the 24th, at Raleigh, North 
Carolina, in obedience to your orders. Notice was at once given by him 
to General Johnston for the termination of the truce that had been entered 
into. On the 25th, another meeting between them was agreed upon, to 



718 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



take place on the 26th, which terminated in the surrender and disbandment 
of General Johnston's army upon substantially the same terms as were given 
to General Lee. 

GENERAL STONEMAN's OPERATIONS. 

The expedition under General Stoneman from East Tennessee got off on 
the 20th of March, moving by way of Boone, North Carolina, and struck the 
railroad at Wytheville, Chambers-burgh, and Big Lick. The force striking 
it at Big Lick pushed on to within a few miles of Lynchburg, destroying 
the important bridges, while with the main force he effectually destroyed it 
between New River and Big Lick, and then turned for Greensborough on 
the North Carolina Railroad ; struck that road and destroyed the bridges 
between Danville and Greensborough, and between Greensborough and 
the Yadkin, together with the depots of supplies along it, and captured 
four hundred prisoners. At Salisbury he attacked and defeated a force of 
the enemy under General Gardner, capturing fourteen pieces of artillery and 
one thousand three hundred and sixty-four prisoners, and destroyed large 
amounts of army stores. At this place he destroyed fifteen miles of rail- 
road and the bridges toward Charlotte. Thence he moved to Slatersville. 

THE CAPTURE OF MOBILE. 

General Canby, who had been directed in January to make preparations 
for a movement from Mobile Bay against Mobile and the interior of Alaba- 
ma, commenced his movement on the 20th of March. The Sixteenth Corps, 
Major-General A. J. Smith commanding, moved from Fort Gaines by water 
to Fish River; the Thirteenth Corps, under Major-General Gordon Granger, 
moved from Fort Morgan and joined the Sixteenth Corps on Fish River, both 
moving thence on Spanish Fort, and investing it on the 27th; while Major- 
General Steele's command moved from Pensacola, cut the railroad leading 
from Tensas to Montgomery, effected a junction with them, and partially 
invested Fort Blakely. After a severe bombardment of Spanish Fort, a part 
of its line was carried on the 8th of April. During the night the enemy 
evacuated the fort. Fort Blakely was carried by assault on the 9th. and 
many prisoners captured ; our loss was considerable. These successes 
practically opened to us the Alabama River, and enabled us to approach 
Mobile from the north. On the night of the 11th, the city was evacuated, 
and was taken possession of by our forces on the morning of the 12th. 

Wilson's work in Alabama. 

The expedition under command of Brevet Major-General Wilson, consist- 
ing of twelve thousand live hundred mounted men, was delayed by rains until 
March 21, when it moved from Chickasaw, Alabama. On the 1st of April, 
General Wilson encountered the enemy in force, under Forrest, near Ebe- 
nezer Church, drove him in confusion, captured three hundred prisoners and 
three guns, and destroyed the central bridge over the Cahawba River. On 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT'S REPORT. 719 



the 2d, lie attacked and captured the fortified city of Selma, defended by For- 
rest with seven thousand men and thirty-two guns, destroyed the arsenal, ar- 
mory, naval foundery, machine shops, vast quantities of stores, and captured 
three thousand prisoners. On the 4th he captured and destroyed Tuscaloosa. 
On the 10th, he crossed the Alabama River, and, after sending information 
of his operations to General Canby, marched on Montgomery, which place 
he occupied on the 14th, the enemy having abandoned it. At this place 
many stores and five steamboats fell into our hands. Thence a force 
marched direct on Columbus, and another on West Point, both of which 
places were assaulted and captured on the 16th. At the former place we 
got fifteen hundred prisoners and fifty-two field guns, destroyed two gun- 
boats, the navy-yard, founderies, arsenal, many factories, and much other 
public property. At the latter place we got three hundred prisoners, four 
guns, and destroyed nineteen locomotives and three hundred cars. On the 
20th, he took possession of Macon, Georgia, with sixty field guns, tw elve hun- 
dred militia and five generals surrendered by General Howell Cobb. General 
"Wilson, hearing that Jeff. Davis was trying to make his escape, sent forces 
in pursuit, and succeeded in capturing him on the morning of May 11. 

DICK TAYLOR. SURRENDERS — KIRBY SMITH'S BAD FAITH. 

On the 4th day of May, General Dick Taylor surrendered to General 
Canby all the remaining rebel forces east of the Mississippi. A force suffi- 
cient to insure an easy triumph over the enemy under Kirby Smith, west 
of the Mississippi, was immediately put in motion for Texas, and Major- 
General Sheridan designated for its immediate command ; but, on the 26th 
day of May, and before they reached their destination, General Kirby 
Smith surrendered his entire command to Major-General Canby. This 
surrender did not take place, however, until after the capture of the rebel 
President and Vice-President, and the bad faith was exhibited of first dis- 
banding most of his army, and permitting an indiscriminate plunder of 
public property. 

THE MEXICAN BORDER. 

Owing to the report that many of those lately in arms against the 
Government had taken refuge upon the soil of Mexico, carrying with them 
arms rightfully belonging to the United States, which had been surrendered 
to us by agreement — among them some of the leaders who had surrendered 
in person — and the disturbed condition of affairs on the Rio Grande, the 
orders for troops to proceed to Texas were not changed. 

There have been severe combats, raids, expeditions, and movements, to 
defeat the designs and purposes of the enemy, most of them reflecting great 
credit on our arms, and which contributed greatly to our final triumph^ 
that I have not mentioned. Many of these will be found clearly set forth 
in the reports herewith submitted ; some in the telegrams and brief dis- 
patches announcing them, and others, I regret to say, have not as yet been 
officially reported. 



720 LIFE AND CAMPAIGNS OF GENERAL GRANT. 



For information touching our Indian difficulties, I would respectfully 
refer to the reports of the commanders of departments in which they have 
occurred. 

THE VALOR OF OUR ARMIES. 

It has been my fortune to see the armies of both the West and the 
East fight battles, and from what I have seen I know there is no difference 
in their fighting qualities. All that it was possible for men to do in battle, 
they have done. The Western armies commenced their battles in the 
Mississippi Valley, and received the final surrender of the remnant of the 
principal army opposed to them in North Carolina. The armies of the East 
commenced their battles on the river from which the Army of the Poto- 
mac derived its name, and received the final surrender of their Old antag- 
onist at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia. The splendid achievements 
of each have nationalized our victories, removed all sectional jealousies (of 
which we have unfortunately experienced too much), and the cause of 
crimination and recrimination that might have followed had either section 
failed in its duty. All have a proud record, and all sections can well con- 
gratulate themselves and each other for having done their full share in re- 
storing the supremacy of law over every foot of territory belonging to the 
United States. Let them hope for perpetual peace and harmony with that 
enemy, whose manhood, however mistaken the cause, drew forth such 
herculean deeds of valor. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, Lieutenant-General. 

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 



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